Velox Plus anti fouling for a Flexofold propellor?

[Hopingsail]

Hi, I have a Legend 29 (Van de Stadt) which I race in the Solent - with some success on a good day!
My otherwise excellent Flexofold prop gets badly fouled so am considering Marlin’s Velox Plus - not on the gears obviously- simply blades and boss.
I’m concerned as VELOX instructions are to sand off with 8 grit (The rougher the better) to ensure adhesion. Has anyone any experience? I’m concerned about unbalancing the blades - but I do tend to worry (being aged!)

 

[vyv_cox]

Flexofold props are made from aluminium bronze. An etch primer is needed to ensure good adhesion..Velox' own primer seems to be rather poor (I don't know if it is an etch primer) hence the instructions for coarse abrasives. Are sure it says 8 grit? 80 seems more likely.
Many users have had excellent results using Hammerite Special Metals primer beneath Velox. I prepare the prop with 180 grit, apply two coats of Hammerite, abrade when dry with 180 grit, then apply two coats of Velox.
My history is shown at Propeller antifouling with Velox

 

[Tranona]

This is my Flexofold with Velox. Abraded according to instructions and primed with Velox primer. However that is not so easy to apply and has a reputation poor adhesion so on my next boat in second photo I used Hammerite primer. I had no problems on the Flexofold and it lasted the 2 years I kept the boat after application. I only did the blades as I had experienced very little fouling on the hub so used Hempels Ecopower on that.

 

[Halo]

As usual Vyv is right. Exactly what works on mt flex o fold 3 blade except I leave blades polished and unpainted and put some lanolin on them.

 

[Hopingsail]

Flexofold props are made from aluminium bronze. An etch primer is needed to ensure good adhesion..Velox' own primer seems to be rather poor (I don't know if it is an etch primer) hence the instructions for coarse abrasives. Are sure it says 8 grit? 80 seems more likely.
Many users have had excellent results using Hammerite Special Metals primer beneath Velox. I prepare the prop with 180 grit, apply two coats of Hammerite, abrade when dry with 180 grit, then apply two coats of Velox.
My history is shown at Propeller antifouling with Velox

Thanks so much for this! I’ve used Hammerite all-metals before, and found it easy to apply,with good results though not for this purpose. The instructions for the Velox Primer are very complex - now sorry I purchased it. The 180 grit also seems more reasonable!
Can I ask: did you paint it insitu or remove prop?

 

[Hopingsail]

This is my Flexofold with Velox. Abraded according to instructions and primed with Velox primer. However that is not so easy to apply and has a reputation poor adhesion so on my next boat in second photo I used Hammerite primer. I had no problems on the Flexofold and it lasted the 2 years I kept the boat after application. I only did the blades as I had experienced very little fouling on the hub so used Hempels Ecopower on that.

Thanks very much Tranona! Very good to have your experience also re the primers!

 

[Hopingsail]

As usual Vyv is right. Exactly what works on mt flex o fold 3 blade except I leave blades polished and unpainted and put some lanolin on them.

Thanks Halo. I’ve usually left my blades highly polished - but fouling in parts of Chichester Harbour has got worse, I expect because of the sewage pollution and farm run-off. I tried udder-grease once - disaster! See photo!

Thanks so much for this! I’ve used Hammerite all-metals before, and found it easy to apply,with good results though not for this purpose. The instructions for the Velox Primer are very complex - now sorry I purchased it. The 180 grit also seems more reasonable!
Can I ask: did you paint it insitu or remove prop?

 

[Tranona]

That looks horrible! Suggest you take it off and do it in the workshop/shed/garage. Much easier to both clean and apply the coatingwith the blades in a vice. A piece of 1" broomstick wedged down the boss will help hold it . Probably easier to clean the growth off with the prop on the boat though.

Good luck, definitely worth a try with Velox.

 

[vyv_cox]

Thanks so much for this! I’ve used Hammerite all-metals before, and found it easy to apply,with good results though not for this purpose. The instructions for the Velox Primer are very complex - now sorry I purchased it. The 180 grit also seems more reasonable!
Can I ask: did you paint it insitu or remove prop?

Mine is a Bruntons feathering prop, easy to antifoul on the shaft, so I have not taken it off to do so.

 

[Halo]

Cleaning up a fouled polished blade is dead easy. Put it in brick cleaner acid for 5 minutes wipe off with a rag and rinse- hey presto you can see your face in it again