Sailfree
Well-Known Member
You get many opinions on here but decided that on balance polishing prop probably causes least growth.
I have tried Lanolin grease and it washes off very quickly.
Proof over what treatment is best eg High Polish v antifoul will be discovered next year.
If you do decide to polish prop I contacted Moleroda who are experts in equipment for metal polishing. They supplied a polishing mop and a sisal mop and a tapered mandrill with a female thread that fits on any large angle grinder (advised by Molerola than normal polishers are too slow). Compound was supplied as a solid green brick!
These mops are about 20mm thick and about 150 dia and you use them on their edge. I had to take the guard off the angle grinder as with mandrill the mop was spaced off by about 30mm. Apply edge of mop, spinning fast, onto brick and the green compound melts and "loads" mop. Apply to blades.
I used the course sisal one first then the softer one. All my blades and hub are now highly polished but can still see some manufacturing lines - assume when blades were ground to shape. No doubt these will reduce each year as blades get an annual polish.
Very satisfying to see face in blades and next year will see how good it works - after all GRP hulls are smooth and slippery yet they still get growth and need antifoul!.
I have tried Lanolin grease and it washes off very quickly.
Proof over what treatment is best eg High Polish v antifoul will be discovered next year.
If you do decide to polish prop I contacted Moleroda who are experts in equipment for metal polishing. They supplied a polishing mop and a sisal mop and a tapered mandrill with a female thread that fits on any large angle grinder (advised by Molerola than normal polishers are too slow). Compound was supplied as a solid green brick!
These mops are about 20mm thick and about 150 dia and you use them on their edge. I had to take the guard off the angle grinder as with mandrill the mop was spaced off by about 30mm. Apply edge of mop, spinning fast, onto brick and the green compound melts and "loads" mop. Apply to blades.
I used the course sisal one first then the softer one. All my blades and hub are now highly polished but can still see some manufacturing lines - assume when blades were ground to shape. No doubt these will reduce each year as blades get an annual polish.
Very satisfying to see face in blades and next year will see how good it works - after all GRP hulls are smooth and slippery yet they still get growth and need antifoul!.
