Can you spray paint a prop?

1985 Century Mustang

Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 9, 2023
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Can you spray paint a prop without any issues? Is it advisable. I never did, I'm just asking the forum members if they ever tried it.
 

1985 Century Mustang

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Mar 9, 2023
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I always trailer my boat, I wonder if a good Marine spray paint will last longer bc it's not sitting in the water for extended periods of time..
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Rubber hubs and powder coat do not mix

Aluminum or stainless prop?

Aluminum - Moeller zinc dichromate primer, and a preval sprayer of Rust-Oleum oil enamel mixed with Majic brand hardener and some acetone (hull restoration sticky info on painting your boat)

Stainless prop - sand blast prop, epoxy primer, and a preval sprayer of Rust-Oleum oil enamel mixed with Majic brand hardener and some acetone (hull restoration sticky info on painting your boat)
 

airshot

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Jul 22, 2008
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I only use aluminum props and have used Krylon spray paint for years with no issues. Dries fast and easy to recoat when needed. Quick, simple, cheap and looks great !!
 

tpenfield

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I spray the props with 'cold galvanizing' spray paint. (salt water)

IMG_4720 2.JPG
 

stresspoint

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Sep 19, 2022
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Rubber hubs and powder coat do not mix

Aluminum or stainless prop?

Aluminum - Moeller zinc dichromate primer, and a preval sprayer of Rust-Oleum oil enamel mixed with Majic brand hardener and some acetone (hull restoration sticky info on painting your boat)

Stainless prop - sand blast prop, epoxy primer, and a preval sprayer of Rust-Oleum oil enamel mixed with Majic brand hardener and some acetone (hull restoration sticky info on painting your boat)
that's all good in hindsight ,but ,that aint going to work on a prop that is going to be used on a boat owned by a real boater ,we have tried all the paints and fancy primers on props and skegs ,the first or second time across the mud in the estuary and its gone , waste of time IMO , powder coating or leaving them raw is all that has ever worked , well at least held up for more than 1 or 2 trips.

agreed that powder coating could damage a rubber hub, but that would depend on how experienced the guy doing the powder coating is.
 

airshot

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Jul 22, 2008
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Guess that is my point, just use a rattle can then when it wears off, easy to touch it up !! I usually get a couple years out of a rattle can paint job. Then again I boat in deeper water, no sand bars to run across, no rocks to run into....
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
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Gee, My paranoid thoughts are that prop companies intentionally do a bad job painting props, so the paint falls off if you use them. That way they can skirt issues with prop performance. My paint always stays on, unless you hit bottom.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,852
This thread has piqued my interest in painting the speedboat prop an interesting color. So far it is has been black. Grey and white are not what I am looking for. Gold, Chartreuse maybe.
 

flashback

Captain
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Jun 28, 2002
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3,963
I had an outboard on my sailboat and painted it bright yellow so the drunks could see it when using the boarding ladder.. I guess it reduced injuries...
 
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