How to clean the props & rudders

[SunsetSteve]

My Riv is in my yard, wrapped for winter, and I am getting a little tired of being locked down, peering out the kitchen window at her, thinking up new boat names. Also, the rudders and props aren't looking nice and clean and shiny like the rest of the boat. Should I be working on cleaning and shining them up? They are rough to the eye and to the touch. What is the favored method to maintain them? What products or power tools to ease the elbow?

[Cooler]

Zing could start that cleaning pretty quick. It is highly toxic, so wear a mask and don't do it on concrete. The concrete will chip from the runoff, and you can burn the hairs out of your nose among other things with the fumes. It is basically muratic acid. I have a couple of names, but I'm saving those for my next vessel. OK, I will share one...Khaleesi - with graphics of 3 dragons in flight. ( See Game of Thrones ) er

[buster53]

Another way to go...wire brush on your power drill.

[km1125]

Source of the post Another way to go...wire brush on your power drill.

Have you tried that?

Not sure if I'd do that. From what I understand, there's a good chance of getting minute steel particles in the metal, which will show up as rust. Plus, I would think steel would be very abrasive on softer bronze parts. If I put anything in a power drill, it would be something more like the scotchbrite abrasive pads, which would probably work really good along with something like a metal polish as a lubricant.

[waybomb]

You can buy scotchbright pads and mandrels for your drill. You'll clean them up quickly using a drill and pads.
Do not use steel wool or steel anything. The steel can get embedded and then they will look as if they are rusty.

[bud37]

I agree with not using steel on the bronze fittings......personally if you want to smooth things out those foam sanding blocks work great....they flex and as you are doing it by hand you will get the chance to inspect the fittings closely......believe me it doesn't actually take long.

If you want to use some sort of wheel, use can use a bronze/brass wheel. Remember once in the water it is only fish and the odd turtle that see the result, but it never hurts to clean them up a bit.

[g36]

Source of the post Zing could start that cleaning pretty quick. It is highly toxic, so wear a mask and don't do it on concrete. The concrete will chip from the runoff, and you can burn the hairs out of your nose among other things with the fumes. It is basically muratic acid. I have a couple of names, but I'm saving those for my next vessel. OK, I will share one...Khaleesi - with graphics of 3 dragons in flight. ( See Game of Thrones ) er

I think i spy a GOT nerd.