Leisure 27
Member
I am using Trilux on my propeller but it does not work very well. Loads of barnacles. Would adding grease on top of Trilux work better.
I also use Hammerite Special Metals Primer, sticks really well to a well keyed prop. I use hard antifoul on top of the primer. I found that a very gentle sand of the primer, once it has had a couple of days to go really hard, makes the antifoul bond much better. By the end of the season most of the antifoul is gone but he primer is still there and is clean, I don’t think nasty marine stuff likeS the primer.Based upon recommendations from the forum I now first paint my prop with Hammerite Special Metals Primer, then Primocon and finally Trilux 33.
The antifoul lasts better than without using Hammerite but still washes off.
An additional benefit is that the Hammerite really sticks so anode wear is less due to it reducing those pesky electrons running amok
When I approached a prop repair specialist with this question I was firmly advised to forget the expensive chemicals, rather to my surprise. They recommended an enamel finish (on Alu props) I have followed this advice and find the beasties do not adhere to the main part of my 3 blader so I retain most of the thrust, but congregate happily on the boss - the downside. I slap the A/F recommended on my S leg and they make merry there too. Some years more and others less - as we all experience.I am using Trilux on my propeller but it does not work very well. Loads of barnacles. Would adding grease on top of Trilux work better.
You are correct about the longevity of Hammerite Special Metals primer. I first used it in 2012, two coats followed by four coats of Velox (the advice at the time). At the end of that season the fouling was controlled but the Velox had chipped quite badly.I also use Hammerite Special Metals Primer, sticks really well to a well keyed prop. I use hard antifoul on top of the primer. I found that a very gentle sand of the primer, once it has had a couple of days to go really hard, makes the antifoul bond much better. By the end of the season most of the antifoul is gone but he primer is still there and is clean, I don’t think nasty marine stuff likeS the primer.
Hi Daedelus I had never heard of Velox + so thanks for the advice. I have put 6 coats on. I know what you mean about how difficult it is to paint on. Like painting with milk. It says to put on light coats This is impossible. I put 6 thick coats on. I will let everyone know next year how good or bad ll it workedI used to use Lanolin. It smelt like a revolting roast of mutton but my hands were really soft after I'd applied it.
I had to have the boat lifted within about 6 weeks or less of her being relaunched and there wasn't a trace of it left.
I should think grease is much the same.
About 2 seasons ago I bit the bullet and tried Velox. It's a) not cheap and b) a PITA to put on but it seems to stay on and works as an antifoul. One small can of primer and same of velox itself was around £45 but has now done 3 seasons and should do a fourth. And I have zip connection with the firm that makes it.
Just watching sailing uma on utube and he said the yellow stuff he was painting on lasted about9 months don’t know if his yellow paint will work but might be worth a look.
That's interesting. I did mine several years ago, wrote it up in PBO, published last year. Due to illness and other problems the boat was in the water for two years and four months without moving. Prior to that the boat was in a drying berth for six months, prop not cleaned after that. At haul out the prop was remakably clean, just a few barnacles. The hull was heavily fouled with mussels (scraped off in the pic).I copper plated my prop this year. It will be interesting to see what the state of it when it is next lifted out !