Re-painting a prop

[diver 1]

I have a good aluminium prop but the paint is flaking off ( I think the person I bought it off had re-sprayed in poorly with no primer?)

Can anyone recommend good primer and top coat for spraying an aluminium prop? Colour not important.

Can I use the two listed below? Or is there something better?

1 X AUTOTEK PROFESSIONAL ACID ETCH PRIMER AEROSOL 500ML FOR GALVANISED ALUMINIUM | eBay

Simoniz Tough Black Satin 500ml Car Spray Paint Aerosol Can | eBay

[office888]

Best method:
Remove the old paint with paint stripper
Wipe the aluminum down with acetone to degrease.
Wipe the aluminum down with household vinegar to degrease / lightly acid etch (wait for it to evaporate completely)
Spray with etching primer to etch / prime
Spray with paint

[Fenlander]

Fully agree on the pro procedure however...

I rubbed mine down with wet and dry leaving the sound original paint just removing the "bubbles" and other defects down to alloy. Then I did a couple of dust coats with black gloss spray topcoat from Halfords to give a light coating to the exposed alloy. Then three more coats all over with the black gloss to a nice finish.

In theory the gloss shouldn't hold straight onto alloy but it did... with one prop for 3yrs and another 1yr until I sold the outboard.

Perhaps these lasted well as they were occasional leisure use boats and low hp outboards.

[Mollers]

Strip, key with 600 paper, degrease with acetone, a coat of acid etch, hit with 2/3 coats of colour, only allow to tack off slightly between coat. :-)

[diver 1]

Thanks but can anyone actually recommend any decent paints they have used before?

[spartacus]

Halfords black enamel gloss. Same preparation as mentioned. Did my other propeller which is showing some wear now. Reckon you'll get a couple of years out of the finish before having to repaint.

I also stuck it in the oven at 50 degrees for 20 minutes. Don't do it at high temperatures or for longer or you'll risk damaging the rubber hub.

[paintman]

Best not to do it with the wife around either!

[beerbelly]

upol acid 8 2 light dust coats then any solvent based rattle can black mat satin or gloss its up to you .tbh if you have never done this before do satin 3 light coats from about 6-8 inches build up slowly. let it go just touch dry between coats

[paintman]

^^^^U-Pol Acid8 is very good. I use it on cars as & when required.
Available from Halford's etc as a rattle can.

[doggypaddle]

The autotek stuff you mentioned is ok. I used it on land rover panels years ago and it seems to have weathered well. I was going to say I used it on my prop but now I think about it that was some two pack yellow wash primer which is probably better.

[beerbelly]

should use an airfed mask with a 2k etch nasty stuff doubt the op has one

[diver 1]

Ok spot on, thanks, will have a shot at that

[boristhebold]

Ive had new props that came painted and old props that were painted (by professionals), without fail the paint would start comeing off after a few months.

Have a look at the boats on a dry stack and see if you can find any with painted props that are more than a few months old (the props that is), bet you cant find any that the paint isnt coming off.

If it irritates you then would recommend a shiny stainless prop.

If you find a solution or method that works let us all know. LOL ...

Good luck

[9D280]

That halfords black gloss also works on Merc cowls!