Has anyone used Prop Speed?

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Neeves

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Prop Speed appears to be a silicone based coating apparently to be only used on metals (any) but it has the ability to discourage growth. Things, fouling agants, will not stick to it. It thus seems ideal for props and saildrives (?).

However the purveyors of Prop Speed demand that it be applied by an approved 'applicator' - not you and I, but people with in depth training and skill - and to whom one presumably pays a princely sum, commensurate with their skills.

This latter is odd - as you can buy the identical product over the counter at WM in America. Are Americans inherently more adept at this sort of task - and does it work anyway
 
Neeves said:
However the purveyors of Prop Speed demand that it be applied by an approved 'applicator' - not you and I, but people with in depth training and skill - and to whom one presumably pays a princely sum, commensurate with their skills.
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That’s a total crock!

We use Prop Speed on our stainless steel Seahawk Autostream folding prop and it’s worked great for us in all types of waters from Melbourne to Ipswich (UK, not Qld).

Since we don’t have room to carry an approved 'applicator' on board, so far we’ve managed to apply it ourselves in Melbourne, in a filthy ship yard in Penang, a dusty marina in Turkey and a cold wet yard in Guernsey. Each time the old coating has been in fine condition.

A realy good cleaning seems to be the key – scraping off the old coating, fine wet & dry, acetone wash – then apply, ideally with two of you to allow a quick overcoat of the etch coating with the top coat.

It’s a great product – shame about the bull!
 
HinewaisMan said:
That’s a total crock!

We use Prop Speed on our stainless steel Seahawk Autostream folding prop and it’s worked great for us in all types of waters from Melbourne to Ipswich (UK, not Qld).

Since we don’t have room to carry an approved 'applicator' on board, so far we’ve managed to apply it ourselves in Melbourne, in a filthy ship yard in Penang, a dusty marina in Turkey and a cold wet yard in Guernsey. Each time the old coating has been in fine condition.

A realy good cleaning seems to be the key – scraping off the old coating, fine wet & dry, acetone wash – then apply, ideally with two of you to allow a quick overcoat of the etch coating with the top coat.

It’s a great product – shame about the bull!
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Well, if not an "approved applicator" surely an "accomplished applicator" :)

Anyway, well done, and thank you for clearing up the possible confusion and doubt. I shall seek out the stuff and have a go myself. Thank you.
 
It looks as if in the Uk it is only available through an "approved applicator". They obviously think the Brits aren't up to putting a bit of gunge on their props.
 
Its not cheap from West Marine:http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&subdeptNum=50229&classNum=50230#.UDiSOo6hDFI at $439.99 eek!

However the West Marine site also says, "... well versed "do-it-yourselfers" can also apply this coating by following the included application guide."

If It wasn't so much money I would order from the USA and give it a go! Despite polishing with a polishing rag on a drill and using proper polishing soap to get a mirror finish our prop is covered in barnacles this year.
 
john_morris_uk said:
Its not cheap from West Marine:http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&subdeptNum=50229&classNum=50230#.UDiSOo6hDFI at $439.99 eek!However the West Marine site also says, "... well versed "do-it-yourselfers" can also apply this coating by following the included application guide."

If It wasn't so much money I would order from the USA and give it a go! Despite polishing with a polishing rag on a drill and using proper polishing soap to get a mirror finish our prop is covered in barnacles this year.
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At THAT price forget it. Are we talking QE2 size props or what?
 
Macon said:
Well, talk of "acetone wash" and "etch coating" makes it sound dangerously anti-environmental unless applied with some precautions...

Mike.
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I imagine that everyone on this forum has acetone washed things at times without causing an environmental disaster......certainly no more than when it is done by a "professional" who is far more likely to splash it around.

Nothing special about etch coatings. Been around for decades.

If the Americans can handle the stuff without bringing on armageddon I'm sure that most here can do so.
 
john_morris_uk said:
Its not cheap from West Marine at $439.99 eek!
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It's not cheap but depending on the size of your prop you'll get a good few applications (ie several years) out of it.

Propcopy.jpg
 
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And there was me thinking I was the only one who might be upset!

If its any consolation - Brits are thrown in with Australians as being incompetant - apparently only Americans have the nouse to do it themselves.

Its on the Propspeed UK website, buy from an applicator, its on the Propspeed Oz website, buy from an applicator (but you can buy it over the counter at WM). This is not a reflection on Americans, Brits or Ozzies - or, at least, not in general - not sure who the Propspeed mastermind is? But clever stuff - and who was the last 'smart alec'?

Can someone tell me how much it costs in the UK?

Anecdotal information suggests its actually a Japanese formulation (and probably product), bought in bulk, 200l drums(?), decanted and sold in small quantities. The 'applicator' pack sizes are enough to do 4-6 props, and on that basis its actually quite cheap - as long as you can get 4-6 props to apply. Applicators love it, money for old rope (because it actually works). I'm not keen on the restrictive sales, I'm not keen on the suggestion that Brits and Ozzies are ham fisted. It might have some toxicity problems, I'm not a chemist (but application by an owner once a year, every 2 years, in fresh air - with a decent breeze, I would not think an issue - but by an applicator every day?).

I think there are similar alternate producers - but they do not have the nouse to offer applicators 'old rope' opportunities. Anyone know, can name, alternates.

Having read 'prop' threads - the technology is the same as polishing your prop, provide a smooth surface and its difficult for organisms to get a grip (but once they do - all is lost). So produce that slippery surface, polish or Propspeed, keep the prop working - and you have a clean prop for 'months'. Polish does not seem quite as effective as Propspeed, the latter looks to last 12-18 months, maybe 24 months. There is a cost, for Propspeed - you need to support the 'applicators' pension fund (and support the perceived culture differences defined by Propspeed).

Is this a restrictive trade practice, or whatever?
 
We have been sung Propspeed for several years and I am very pleased with the results. We is it on the prop, shaft, and various other underwater bits.

I spoke to the importer. The issue seems to be that if you do not prepare the surface properly and comply with the instructions then the results are less good. Rather than deal with a lot of DIY ers who are not happy, and having to have lots of discussions about how it was applied th decided to recommend it was done by someone who had been trained.

The other issue here in the UK is that is come in quite big amounts. I think enough for about ten props or so.

I asked Rustler Yachts to supply it for me. The got one of the yard stAff trained, which really was easy, and they now offer it is as service at Falmouth Boat Yard.

I saw the guy put the stuff on. Not rocket science at all, but you need to be careful.
 
An issue is - why are American 'more careful' than Brits and Ozzies. But as with all things - maybe everything is bigger there so they can use all the compound on one prop.


However you have answered one part to my query - you say it works, you confirm what a lot of others say. You say you use it, or have it applied to places, in addition to your props, like where? Where else does it work?

Its just a bit demeaning to learn we are not as good as our cousins especially, as you say, all one needs is care. We are not only separated by that common language, but they are more careful than us. What next?
 
Neeves said:
An issue is - why are American 'more careful' than Brits and Ozzies. But as with all things - maybe everything is bigger there so they can use all the compound on one prop.


However you have answered one part to my query - you say it works, you confirm what a lot of others say. You say you use it, or have it applied to places, in addition to your props, like where? Where else does it work?

Its just a bit demeaning to learn we are not as good as our cousins especially, as you say, all one needs is care. We are not only separated by that common language, but they are more careful than us. What next?
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Surely it is up to the supplier to decide how he wants to provide the product? If he believes his interests are best served by only offering it on a supply/apply basis he presumably accepts that it may limit his market on the grounds of higher cost. The potential buyer has to decide whether he is prepared to pay thyat cost. The seller is under no obligation to sell the materials where he has no control over the application.
 
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