Indigo Propeller Coating..epoxy? Resurface plan?

[TimBSmith]

Good A4 folk...

Here is an album showing a coating on my Indigo propeller that is starting to chip off. It looks to be epoxy rather than simply built up propeller anti foul.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KhDmxfZdWBpZjtJF7


Suggestions on resurfacing, rebalancing, and antifoul coating for this prop?

Thankful. Until next. Tim

[Dave Neptune]

The prop is not coated from Indigo. It is just std build up that needs to be scraped off. You should not need any balancing and antifouling on a prop just does not last. I had my boat hull and prop cleaned monthly by a diver on the west coast. Your prop looks good and just needs a good cleaning.

In your local area as all are different perhaps there is an anti-fouling that will actually "stick" to a prop. Never new anybody that had any luck with longevity
using prop coatings.

Dave Neptune

[joe_db]

What he said, it just needs cleaning. I too have tried almost everything to keep the prop clean and all have totally failed. The only ones I haven't used are the very expensive ones like Propspeed.
One thing that does help is I make sure and run the engine up to full RPM in gear at least once a week, I think that helps keep growth off. I also dive on it frequently or hire a diver.

[edwardc]

I use Petite Barnacle Barrier on my prop, and that's exactly the same way it looks after cleaning. I found that a wire brush on a drill won't do much, but one of those paint-stripping disks that look like a coarse Scotchbrite pad takes it right off down to shiny bronze.

[TimBSmith]

First time I have taken a careful look at prop. Did some background research on the Indigo here and the Indigo site. Got it. Buid-up not epoxy. Appreciate guidance on next steps and occasional weekly fast spin for maintenance. Looks like good time to strip it down and recoat. Prop antifoul seems to be a dark art of some sort. Skippers in my local yard don't have any consensus on the matter. Thought the Petit zinc spray seems popular. I will also give prop a check and scrape during the short New England season. All best.

[Al Schober]

I've had a lot of experience with bronze props working as a Navy contractor. AFAIK, the Navy has yet to find a decent propeller coating! Submarines (BIG propellers) when docked get bags installed over the whole prop to keep them clean!
Corrosion is another issue. Zincs are installed to protect the bronze from stray currents. Forced currents are another issue. I personally had a 12" prop come off my T30 at 9.5"! Had a bad ground cable to the engine and alternator return current was being forced down the shaft, through the prop, then to the keel, and back to another cable to battery -. Installed a new prop from CDI and a DriveSaver.