Bronze prop - paint?

[jashmen]

Never owned an inboard before. Our prop, wheel, screw, whatever you prefer to call it is currently bare. Should I paint it or not?

[WillieC]

It's all about the fouling...and galvanic corrosion. Here are some thoughts:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11517&p=75856&hilit ... int#p75856

There are plenty more opinions out there. But do pay attention to maintaining your anodes, "zincs" as they are often called. My twenty-five year old prop was also bare, but started de-zincing, where the alloy deteriorates showing tell-tale traces of pink slough. But, hey, 25 years isn't bad for a prop, I guess. What was more concerning was that the WillieC was previously always kept in the water, possibly since it was launched. Thus, zinc maintenance/replacement was done by divers at the various marinas. When we had a new trailer built, the first thing I noticed was that the latest zinc, proudly proclaimed by the PO, didn't fit the shaft, with loose bolts to boot! Ah, thank you very much. Trust but verify, then scream bloody murder!

We leave ours bare. The best comment in the link above was to use the boat, often and vigorously, for best results.

[Jeremyvmd]

I paint mine. My work life balance is such that the boat often doesn’t get used for a few weeks. And it likes to grow stuff. I’ve used a few products and they have all helped. If you use it a lot then I would say don’t paint it

[Mike Monte]

This past season I used Petit Prop coat
https://pettitpaint.com/products/underw ... e-barrier/
My prop was barnacle free at the end of last season in Narragansett Bay.

I will use again this spring.
M