I've found the magic prop protection product!!

Firefly625

Firefly625

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Some may recall a previous post I made about some magical prop protection product that a chap I spoke to had used;

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299281&page=2

Well I have been looking out for him to ask the question of what he used. He has just told me what it was.... not what you would expect!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STARBRITE-STARBRIGHT-BOAT-BOTTOM-BARNACLE-CLEANER-/260888632365?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item3cbe2c9c2d

or if you don't want postage, & can get from Force4

http://www.force4.co.uk/3586/Starbrite-Boat-Bottom-Cleaner.html

I saw his boat just after it was lifted after being a season in the water and his prop was shiny! So I am buying a pot of this stuff and will report my findings in November!
 
epervier said:
James, did he spray this stuff on as the boat was lifted out or used it when the boat was launched earlier in the season?
Click to expand...

Hi epervier,
He sprayed it on the prop, and left it to dry before the boat went into the water beginning of last year. When the boat was pulled out the water in November his boat was just jetted off as normal by MDL and his prop was just like new, no growth of anything, barnacles, limescale etc,etc!! No scraping, or polishing just a clean and shiny prop.

He was recommended the stuff by someone who uses it for the same purpose... not sure how it works... certainly reading about it Starbrite don't know of its possible use...
 
Ive been using it for 4-5 seasons now and it is great stuff.

Seams to be the same as B&Q brick cleaner.


I use it to clean the prop and shaft which is left shiny.

When using it at Cowes sealift I just spray on and relaunch.

Its basically acid.
as soon as you immerse in alkaline salt water its properties will be neutralized.

It does contain a metal protector which may leave a microscopic thin residue but will be washed off very quickly.


In my opinion it leaves a shiny surface compared to scraping/scouring which may account for an apparent long term effect but I think you will be pleased with th cleaning effect but disappointed with the 11 month end result.

My shafts are perfectly clean after 9 months, props are showing discolouration and a slight fur, so you could be right !
 
Firefly625 said:
Hi epervier,
He sprayed it on the prop, and left it to dry before the boat went into the water beginning of last year. When the boat was pulled out the water in November his boat was just jetted off as normal by MDL and his prop was just like new, no growth of anything, barnacles, limescale etc,etc!! No scraping, or polishing just a clean and shiny prop.

He was recommended the stuff by someone who uses it for the same purpose... not sure how it works... certainly reading about it Starbrite don't know of its possible use...
Click to expand...

You've found a new boat antifoul if it works!!.... Spay on and relax!!
 
DAKA said:
Ive been using it for 4-5 seasons now and it is great stuff.

Seams to be the same as B&Q brick cleaner.


I use it to clean the prop and shaft which is left shiny.

When using it at Cowes sealift I just spray on and relaunch.

Its basically acid.
as soon as you immerse in alkaline salt water its properties will be neutralized.

It does contain a metal protector which may leave a microscopic thin residue but will be washed off very quickly.


In my opinion it leaves a shiny surface compared to scraping/scouring which may account for an apparent long term effect but I think you will be pleased with th cleaning effect but disappointed with the 11 month end result.

My shafts are perfectly clean after 9 months, props are showing discolouration and a slight fur, so you could be right !
Click to expand...

excellent, glade someone else has used it. If my prop looks even similar to the chap that recommended it to me I will be pleased.:)
 
Effective, very nasty though. Gloves & mask, do not breath this stuff in!

The prop would have been "shiny", not scratched or pitted, but polished.

This has no protection to offer, it is the condition of the prop that offers the protection, as with other surfaces.


{edit} safe on GRP/ gel coat, but..... do not use it as a general cleaner, it is for heavy scale removal. Hulls, props outdrives, trim tabs etc, as a rule of thumb the product should not be used above the waterline.
 
Last edited:
Marine Reflections said:
Effective, very nasty though. Gloves & mask, do not breath this stuff in!

The prop would have been "shiny", not scratched or pitted, but polished.

This has no protection to offer, it is the condition of the prop that offers the protection, as with other surfaces.


{edit} safe on GRP/ gel coat, but..... do not use it as a general cleaner, it is for heavy scale removal. Hulls, props outdrives, trim tabs etc, as a rule of thumb the product should not be used above the waterline.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. In fact I don't intend using as a cleaner, but I am really interested how this obviously pretty nasty acidic cleaner kept a submerged prop on a regularly used boat clear of any growth over a season. But I will use it this year and be happy to report my findings in November. :)
 
Marine Reflections said:
Effective, very nasty though. Gloves & mask, do not breath this stuff in!
Click to expand...

OOOOps forgot that bit.......

Dont underestimate it , it is very nasty stuff, a slight mist blowing back in your face from 5 foot away will take your breath away and leave you temporary blinded no pain no gain ;)
 
We did the article in MBM regarding the Starbrite cleaner last year but did not realise it had any protection properties - we are being lifted out in March/April and will let you know how the props look then.
Neil
 
DAKA said:
Ive been using it for 4-5 seasons now and it is great stuff.

Seams to be the same as B&Q brick cleaner.


I use it to clean the prop and shaft which is left shiny.

When using it at Cowes sealift I just spray on and relaunch.

Its basically acid.
as soon as you immerse in alkaline salt water its properties will be neutralized.

It does contain a metal protector which may leave a microscopic thin residue but will be washed off very quickly.


In my opinion it leaves a shiny surface compared to scraping/scouring which may account for an apparent long term effect but I think you will be pleased with th cleaning effect but disappointed with the 11 month end result.

My shafts are perfectly clean after 9 months, props are showing discolouration and a slight fur, so you could be right !
Click to expand...

Firefly625 said:
Thanks for the info. In fact I don't intend using as a cleaner, but I am really interested how this obviously pretty nasty acidic cleaner kept a submerged prop on a regularly used boat clear of any growth over a season. But I will use it this year and be happy to report my findings in November. :)
Click to expand...

As Daka states, it is the fact that the prop can be cleaned and left 'polished' sort of 'hands free' rather than cause cleaning scratches that growth can get a foothold on that offers the protection.

The surface 'condition' is the protection.

I have never left the product on to dry as it is designed to be rinsed off.
That said, i'm sure that if left on, then the growth creatures would not enjoy their visit for long. :)
 
Once we had cleaned the props we where told to wash them off thoroughly with fresh water - hence the concrete under the boat being cleaned thoroughly.
 
Marine Reflections said:
As Daka states, it is the fact that the prop can be cleaned and left 'polished' sort of 'hands free' rather than cause cleaning scratches that growth can get a foothold on that offers the protection.

The surface 'condition' is the protection.

I have never left the product on to dry as it is designed to be rinsed off.
That said, i'm sure that if left on, then the growth creatures would not enjoy their visit for long. :)
Click to expand...

Agreed and I am also a little concerned that some aspects are getting a little confused.

Some Brick cleaners contain additives to protect metal.

The brick cleaner is designed to remove concrete from brick and metal.
The metal should be left undamaged hence there are metal protectors.

The metal protectors are not designed to continue to protect after the 1/2 hour treatment.

I would not leave brick cleaner or starbrite on a bronze prop or stainless shaft for more than 1/2 hour.

At some point the acid will eat into the metal and cause pitting.


When I sprayed on starbrite and bricker cleaner and didnt rinse it off it was because I was due to be submerged into salt water within 15 mins.

starbrite says it also contains patented protection which I deduce/guess is the same as the brick cleaner metal protection additives.

When I spray the acid onto a prop it fizzes as the growth is killed and at the time time the acid is neutralized from the alkaline growth.

If the prop is already 100% clean then the acid may well attack the metal surface if left on unsubmerged as there will not be any alkaline growth to neutralize the acid.
 
DAKA said:
How much longer , I need a p :D
Click to expand...

Sorry All! I know it must have been a long night for some of you, thanks for hanging on!

Well got the info, he just applied and left for 5 minutes and then did wash off...

so therefore do we deduce from this that it either leaves some sort of residue or metal protection that deters growth or is it as marine Reflections said, just have a really shiny clean prop and that will be your protection...


you can stand down now.

:D
 
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