SS prop rusting!!

[dave821]

I just bought a stainless steel prop for my 2008 Suzuki DF70 and after one weekend of use its getting surface rust.Is this common?Also i thought stainless steel is not supposed to rust.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I just bought a stainless steel prop for my 2008 Suzuki DF70 and after one weekend of use its getting surface rust.Is this common?Also i thought stainless steel is not supposed to rust.


That is why they call it stainless, because it stains less ;D

My yamaha props had a little rust on the first year and i polish them with 3M and wax them and they are O.K up to now.

[Capt. Mick]

You need to polish it and wax it. I use 3m from Boater's World. I've had only Stainless props for over 10 years with no problems. Of course there are varying grades of stainless for props just like for bow rails and the cheaper props work you a lot harder.

[martinmarinedesign]

You need to polish it and wax it. I use 3m from Boater's World. I've had only Stainless props for over 10 years with no problems. Of course there are varying grades of stainless for props just like for bow rails and the cheaper props work you a lot harder.


You are right on Capt. Mick, there are varying grades of stainless steel, none of which are rust proof. The most common alloys used in the marine industry are 304 and 316. Stainless requires oxygen to form chromium oxide, the protective covering. Thats why stainless steel corrodes when submerged, too little oxygen. 316 has moly and a higher content of nickel which guards against saltwater corrosion. The sodium chlorides in saltwater hinder the ability of stainless to "repair" itself and form the protective chromium oxide. This is why you shouldn't use bleach products on your stainless.

I like to use Mothers Aluminum Polish on the stainless products we manufacture. You have to be careful when choosing a polish because some will leave a haze, by way of fine scratches on the polished stainless.

Raymond

[Harry]

Thanks for the Tip Raymond.

I use mothers products on my Chevelle . Never thought I could use it on the boat, I always figured I need the $$ special marine stuff .... clonk

[TooTall]

yay yay yay
I was going to add something but Ray got it all taken care of.
Home Depot has a tool box that is made of stainless steel and it shows rust.
Ah! Chromiun! What would we do with out you???

013 013 012 011

[Big Will]

You guys are brave with those SS props. I like good ole aluminum. Cheap. Bends easy. Breaks easy. Hub seems to spin out easier. All equate with savings when you consider I've never broken or bent a prop shaft with an aluminum prop on the motor. I can't say the same for SS.

[Dave]

Big Will,

SS props account for the vast majority of props used in Eastern NC, save the many smaller kicker type machines. We have sand and/or mud bottoms here and about the only rocks you see here are called jetties, easily seen or marked. You Florida guys have to contend with fish attracting reefs that (sadly) we don't have in this area. Oyster beds don't usually harm SS and the sand bars we all like to drive through creates more wear on the softer aluminum props.

Dave

[Capt. Mick]

I haven't had an aluminum prop since the mid eighties. I will not accept delivery of a boat with one on it. I'm on my seventh boat and I have never had any problem with my stainless props. They may be more expensive, but the performance is well worth it. Of course rinse them off when the boat comes out of the water and polish them occaisionally and you'll have no problems.

[wsquared]

I work in a pulp & paper mill and we use stainless piping, pumps, and impellers, throughout to transport all kinds of material, from hot and cold water to highly corrosive fluids and I haven't ever seen rusting as an issue. Probably more a quality of the steel used or fabrication issue.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I haven't had an aluminum prop since the mid eighties. I will not accept delivery of a boat with one on it. I'm on my seventh boat and I have never had any problem with my stainless props. They may be more expensive, but the performance is well worth it. Of course rinse them off when the boat comes out of the water and polish them occaisionally and you'll have no problems.


Ditto. thumbsup