cleaning stainless props

[Strecker25]

Our SS 3 blade vengeance props are pretty nasty after a year in our muddy bay. What's the proper way to clean them? I've tried barkeepers friend both powder and liquid and that's not doing it. A soak in oxy, vinegar/BS, water, etc. None of the household stuff is going to get it done. I don't want to beat them up too bad with sandpaper, but the high grit wet stuff won't get the job done either. I'll post a picture in a minute, but any tips?

also, i know being polished probably doesn't matter but it gives me something to do while we're expecting snow this weekend.:smt089

 

[Jeremygavin]

In the past I have used a buffing wheel and flitz to get the props back to new again but it is messy and a lot of work. This past winter I used Barnacle Buster. I soaked my props in it and in 24hrs of soaking they looked brand new again. I bought it by the gallon on amazon.

 

[jason78]

I always had great luck with Scotch Brite pads.

 

[Strecker25]

Thanks ill give those a shot. I scraped a few places with a small stainless scraper and the stuff comes off I just dont want to scratch them up too bad.

buff magic does a hell of a job polishing them up once clean I must say, I tried it on a little spot

 

[Lazy Daze]

No guarantees, but try CLR or something with Oxalic acid in it such as Slimy Grimy. Let it sit on the surface for a good 5 minutes - use a white cloth dampened in the solution, if needed.

 

[310sundancer]

Muretic acid always did the trick for me and it's cheap to

 

[tmsrb]

I also use muriatic acid and it works good and fast. I get a small bucket with water then add the acid to the water and use a cheap paint brush to apply it to the props, then rinse it off. Make sure not to add water to the acid and wear gloves.

 

[Sprint7TW]

I also use muriatic acid and it works good and fast. I get a small bucket with water then add the acid to the water and use a cheap paint brush to apply it to the props, then rinse it off. Make sure not to add water to the acid and wear gloves.

And a mask? Do not breath the fumes.

 

[SloBurn]

Noxon works best for all my SS hardware, Rails, etc. I'm sure it would work well on your props. No fumes, just needs some elbow grease to rub it a nice shine.

 

[Tonka Boater]

I find it's a lot easier to pay a prop shop $150 to have them reconditioned, balanced and polished. You could easily spend $150 trying different cleaning supplies...might as well let a pro do it and have them come back looking better than new.

 

[keokie]

You can simply apply muriatic acid and rinse off. It will be clean instantly, although the shine will dull some. You can use less strong acids like bathroom cleaners which will take a little more effort, but reduce the shine less. Or drop it in a bucket of vinegar for a week or so and it will be clean and shiny.

 

[Strecker25]

I find it's a lot easier to pay a prop shop $150 to have them reconditioned, balanced and polished. You could easily spend $150 trying different cleaning supplies...might as well let a pro do it and have them come back looking better than new.

That's pretty good advice. My father owns a shop and his neighbor is a pretty well known prop guy around us, I'll check with him before I put too much effort in. They're probably original anyways so a balance would do us good.

 

[Strecker25]

Because I'm impatient I found myself at depot today and grabbed a gallon of the "green" muriatic acid. That stuff is a godsend. Used an old paintbrush and it melted the grime away with a dramatic smoke and sizzle show.

I'll still get them balanced, but for the years in between balancing that will definitely be my method. Fumes were not existent while working outside as long as I didn't stand over the prop or downwind while working on it.

 

[Sublimetime]

" Fumes were not existent while working outside as long as I didn't stand over the prop or downwind while working on it."

This means they were existent, but you made sure not to inhale them. They will take your breath away.

 

[Strecker25]

Good point, I was quite careful to avoid them.