Re: stainless prop cleanup?
Hi. A few general thoughts ...<br /><br />The corrosion resistance properties of stainless steel are there because - as JasonJ has said - an extremely thin oxide layer forms on its surface. <br /><br />Two things - first, this passive film is self-generating. In other words, the cleaner the surface, the quicker and more uniform will be the generation of a fresh layer. Second, this oxide layer will fail to form on dirty or contaminated metal. Where such a layer doesn't form, stainless steel will stain! Sometimes these stains go deep and cannot readily be removed.<br /><br />When working with stainless steel, contamination can occur as a result of welding, grinding, forming, contact with other metals and even general workshop storage and handling. Sometimes, with welded props, you can see the joins because they become darker. This is contamination from poor original welds.<br /><br />A really thorough clean and polish, bearing in mind the above, will not harm the prop - but more agressive work than that might unbalance it.<br /><br />Ciao