Painting Props

Call a prop shop. You don't want to be sanding and/or stripping a prop yourself for a variety of reasons, the first of which is liability. You in your hangar are not equipped to do this job properly. If you sand to bare metal, you need to alodine the metal for corrosion protection. If you chemical strip, you need to be aware of the chemical strippers effects on the metallurgy and how it's going to affect the new finish adhering.

With any of this work, the prop will need to be re-balanced.

I'm not sure what the times on the prop are, but if you want to do this right, the blades need to come off the hub, and at that point, you may as well call it a full overhaul.

If all you're concerned about is the appearance, I'd just live with it until the next overhaul.
 
Roger said:
REAAALLLY don't recommend this. Too easy to remove too much metal if you're not careful.
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esa17 said:
Never, EVER, use an electric or air sander on a prop.

There is no fast way to do this but there is a good "speed" for it.

The speed you should use is "right the first time".
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Method taught to me by two separate A&P IA's...what do i know...Of course they got the info from the local prop shop...
 
mooneyguy said:
Method taught to me by two separate A&P IA's...what do i know...Of course they got the info from the local prop shop...
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4 mechanics, 5 opinions ;)

What I was told is that the prop manufacturers don't like any power sanding or any polishing at all because the heat it causes ruins the heat treatment on the propeller.

I, personally, think it's a load of crap... litigious society... etc.

whatcha gonna do?
 
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