Painting props - best materials

[crazy4557]

I had a rope round my brand new props earlier in the season and now my shiny black props are dull alloy with a few scraggy bits of black paint left. My thanks goes to Port Solent lockmaster for allowing a large piece of rope into the lock at the same time as me. Rope in the water and me just don't get along in the same place. Thanks to Sea start for a brilliant response though.

Whats the best paint for refurbing? Is it worth powder coating or can this not be done?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Csail]

Why do you need to paint it? Probably better looking tatty so it won't get nicked.

 

[Tranona]

You can get them refurbished by a specialist such as Steel Developments.

 

[Spi D]

Both Quicksilver/Merc, Volvo and the others sell touch-up paint in authentic colours. Problem is that you'll never get it as good as new because the paint and process on the factory is way more advanced than the odd spraycan.

If you want antifouling there are special products like Prop-Shield etc.

 

[duncan]

as Spi D alludes, it really isn't worth bothering - it won't last.

slightly surprised you are running alloy's

the other thing is that you just know that spending any money on it will guarantee it gets damaged again the next time out!

 

[crazy4557]

as Spi D alludes, it really isn't worth bothering - it won't last.

slightly surprised you are running alloy's

the other thing is that you just know that spending any money on it will guarantee it gets damaged again the next time out!

Don't worry, my avatar needs updating. I'm not running a shaft drive on alloy props!

 

[duncan]

I was wondering!

 

[markcw]

I decided to to be different and spray mine luminious orange,

To do it yourself,

Paint to use will be a 2 part base, 1 part paint, 1 part hardener

First rub down prop with 600 or 800 grade wet and dry glass paper , use it dry, then wipe prop off with cheap thinners to remove oil-dust-dirt.

Then apply self etching primer 2 coats, may be 3 depending on etching and coverage.

2-3 coats normal primer, remember light top colours white primer, dark top colours use gray or even red primer,

wet primer back useing 1000 grit wet glass paper this will remove orange peel affect in the primer and provide a good Key for the top coat, if need be re-apply another coat of primer is marks or dents still visable on prop after wetting back.

A good wipe down with thinners.

Do 2-3 coats of your final colour, remembering to leave the required drying time between coats, a good trick is to heat the prop up to make it warm to touch before spraying, and use a heat gun to warm the bottom of the paint tin before spraying, this will make the paint in the tin thinner and will give a better finish.

finaly apply a coat of gloss laquer.

You prop will look new and different, in the winter im re painting mine in luminous green and stenciling the volvo penta 290 logo on each blade in black.

My paint so fare has lasted all seasion, secondly nothing is going to with stand the rocks and sand and any thing apprassive, doing it your self will make you more carefull thou. which is good

Give it a go.


mark