What to clean bronze props with..?

[Nickcf]

was reading the posts on cleaning SS props with hydrocloric acid (seems to be not recommended overall).

What's the best way to clean bronze props? I usually use an electric drill with a non metallic abrasive drum sander thingy. Does the job but does leave fine scratches on the surface and not good for getting near the hub of the prop.

A liquid cleaner would be a lot easier I imagine if there is a suitable one?

 

[tcm]

hydrochloric acid

ah well, you're fine with HCl on bronze - no passivity issues as with stainless steel see?

 

[Dave99]

I had a new product sent through to me which is a grease type product developed to prevent fouling on props. I will dig out the details on Monday but the product has had very good reviews.

David

 

[bob_tyler]

Re: hydrochloric acid

[ QUOTE ]
ah well, you're fine with HCl on bronze - no passivity issues as with stainless steel see?

[/ QUOTE ]

What is HCI ( I not A for acid) please and where does one get it?

Thanks

Bob

 

[discovery2]

I use an ordinary flat (not triangular) paint scraper. This gets rid of any barnacles and scrapes the 'crust' off the prop quite easily - especially if not allowed to dry too hard.
Then I get through a couple of brillo pads to polish to a good finish.
Takes about half an hour for a 21" x 4 blade prop.

 

[tcm]

Re: hydrochloric acid

thart was Hcl not HcI - ie hydrochloric acid. Tons of boats use it no problem to clear the last bits of calcium/barnacle growth.

 

[Nickcf]

Re: hydrochloric acid

thanks, will try it out when the boat is lifted next week.

nick

 

[tcm]

Re: hydrochloric acid

Best way seems to be with a spray. Cheapest the handpump type, otherwise the garden flyspray a bit posher. Run water through them and they should be ok afterwards. Or at least if they aren't properly cleaned the greenfly won't last very long...

 

[andyball]

Re: hydrochloric acid

I use a brass brush on angle grinder for the last bits, brings them up really nice & doesn't seem to touch the bronze surface at all. even the marker pen with the manufacturers info on one blade is still perfectly visible.

coated mine in w/proof grease last time, which doesn't really stop the growth any, but makes it easy to scrape off by hand - a plastic scraper & done in 10mins.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Re: hydrochloric acid

Just saw this post & felt inclined to add my tuppence worth: re waterproof grease, go to your local BMW dealer and ask the service dept. for "Plastilube". Comes in a little yellow sachet with about 2 grams in it. It's expensive but once on, it's almost impossible to remove with water (fresh, salt or otherwise). Put some on my outboard prop last year and it's still there. BMW use it on their brakes (sliding pins, caliper pistons etc). Plastic based, used it on my 'bike brakes, didn't have to do anything to them for 3 years! Totally brill!

 

[compie1]

Re: hydrochloric acid

Plastilube is made by ATE Germany so should be av. at carparts stores wich sell the ATE brakes,calipers & brake fluid /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. If you cant find it send me a PM!

 

[Renegade_Master]

Re: hydrochloric acid

guess that must be called "aqua fuerte" out here then Matt. Thats what they squirt on the brass props , mind you all of the shafts as well, to get the crap off.

Might be best to put some protection around the edge of the cutlass bearing before the cleaning starts, as the acid can effect the cutlass bearing if n contact for too long.

 

[wynnstow]

Nick

If you use the boaty stuff in a spray bottle it is expensive and is only diluted hydrfochloric acid. Go to a builders merchant and get brick cleaner. It is the same stuff, comes in larger bottles and is a lot cheaper. It dissolves barnacles and Zebra mussels. Fill an old spray bottle with it, spray on & let it foam and fizz for a while & then hose off.
After & when dry rub a waterproof grease onto the prop blades. This delays future growth and makes them easier /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif to clean the next time.