Rust spots

[Bayrider]

Hi,having a spot of bother with my s\s prop.I fitted it new at the end of last season and it worked well on my 3L 135hp alpha.At the weekend while i was servicing the boat i noticed small rust spots on the new prop,surely this should not be the case.I do not leave the boat in the (fresh)water but keep it at home when not in use.Prop is a Mercury Vengence.Any thoughts PS This is one hell of site.Regards to you all.

[Bond-o]

The Stainless Steel used in Props,Is an Alloy....It's Still going to Rust, Some.....Just not as badly as carbon Steel......BTW, Welcome to the iboats forums.............

[crazy charlie]

Wax or polish the rust off and if you do this a few times a season it wont return unless you hit bottom a few times.Charlie

[MrBill]

Bayrider: There are literally a hundred types and grades of stainless steel. This is one reason prices vary so widely in things made of "stainless". In general, to be sold or claimed as "Stainless Steel", the material must be a ferrous alloy with a minimum of 12% chromium. There are numerous types and grades within each type. Some stainless is magnetic, some not...some is hardenable by heat treat, some is not.For a detailed explanation of all, so that you know what you're buying go to..... http://www.spiusa.com/Ref001/overview1.html Check out the detail and explanation of each type and grade beyond the overview page.

[Bayrider]

Thanks lads for the quick replys and the words of wisdom.I have learned lots about my power pack and saved ££££ on service costs since finding this site. Regards to all.

[MFG197]

the word is STAIN-LESS

[18rabbit]

The word should be less-stain.All stainless steel will rustÂ…that is, the iron in the metal will bond with oxygen if given an opportunity to do so. ItÂ’s just not as easy to form ferric oxide with ss.Usually the surface rust that forms on ss is the result of stagnant water left in contact with the ss. This can happen when tiny imperfections on the surface of the ss allow water to cling and it canÂ’t evaporate faster than the ss can oxidize.The ways to prevent rusting is to have the smoothest, mirror-like finish on the ss; wipe off all residual water; and/or have a constant supply of fresh water moving over the surface of the metal.

[mellowyellow]

most likely caused by the salt air on the emeraldilse.

[Bayrider]

Hi Mellowyellow.Thanks for the witty reply but i will have to disagree with you on the salty air.If you look at a map of Ireland,go right up north and find a small lake bordered by all counties and you will find where i live.It,s about 30 miles from the coast,so i don,t think the salt air would bother me much.On the other hand maybe it travels a lot further inland over there. Regards.