Prop polishing

[johnboy 88 vegas]

What do you guys use to polish a prop that has scratches in it from hitting the sand a time or two? Got a couple that I'd like to
brighten up a little since I got some spare time on my hands in the winter.

[johnboy 88 vegas]

No one got a suggestion? Come on guys:cheers: I know some of yall got to be picky bout your props.

[transomstand]

Heavy cotton buffing disc in my drill press, little oil on the cotton, stainless steel polishing stick from Home Depot. Take a firm grip on the prop, and polish away.

Makes the most God awful mess of your shop you ever saw, spraying that gray crap on everything, but will put a mirror finish on the prop with a lot of time.

Been a "lab finish" kind of guy ever since:D

[FAST-J]

First the scatches need to be removed, depending on how deep they are I use 400 grit sandpaper then polish it out, the higher the speed of the polishing wheel the better, I run 8 and 10 inch wheels at 3450 rpm.

[johnboy 88 vegas]

Thanks for the insight guys. Will give it a try pretty soon.

[steve@scp]

i'd tell ya what i use, but wouldn't help ya much. too expensive of equipment for personal use..lol

[pyro]

Wet-sand with 400, then 800, then 1000, then 1500, in straight lines, avoiding the very edge of the blade where the shape is critical. Don't skip any grit steps. The prop's metal will dull the paper quickly, so repeat each step a few times before moving to the next. Follow up with Chrome compound or Stainless compound on a buff wheel like TS suggested.

[DS77]

When IM sanding i hold a small spray container 1-pint hot... Water with app.10-15 drops of dawn helps cut clean & saves work and sand paper as far as sand paper grit that depends on how deep your scratches r if u want to remove them all i have used 36 grit many times but when using low grit u need to work all your blades the same i will finish with 800 then go 2 buffer start with #2 stick end with #5 i like plenty of pressure on the wheel this burns in your finish also brings out the colors in the stainless dont get in a hurry ps always use safety equit. Ive been bitten many ..... Times peace DS77

[johnboy 88 vegas]

Thanks for everything guys. Seems every time I'm bout to get slow enough to work on my own stuff some more work comes in which is great for this time of year. If everything keeps goin like it is I might send it off to one you guys that do this for a living. Appreciate all the help fellas!