Prop reconditioning

[psg]

Hi

Hopefully someone out there has has a similar problem. My 3 blade wooden prop on a Rotax 462 has started to loose varnish when i pull the prop tape off.There are areas where there is bare wood and the new tape doesnt like sticking to it. Can i remove the baldes and sand them down and re varnish them. I have a propellor balancer. Should this be ok to do or should i replace it ?? What varnish would i use to re varnish it with?

Regards
Sacha

[Duck Rogers]

Hey Sacha........ use paint stripper rather than sandpaper to remove the old varnish. Re-varnish (spraying gives a nicer finish than brush) with a good UV resistant polyurethane type.(sorry, dunno what brands you may have in the UK) Re-balance.

[Morph]

If you find any cracks you can fix them using superglue and Bicarbonate of soda. Open the crack, and put some bicarb power into it, add a few drops of glue. They react immediately so quickly press the two halves together. You can use the same to fill dents and dings. It dries solid and can be easily sanded smooth.

[psg]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the info. What varnish do you use there in South Africa? I have used the bicarb ang superglue trick with great sucess before.

Regards
Sacha

[Morph]

Plascon Woodcare products

[John Boucher]

I would suggest using Durethane 2K after reconditiong the blades.

When balancing - a single light coat equals a folded page of photocopy paper. This can help.

The final balance can be done by spraying the tips individually with a colour of your choice whilst on your balancing contraption.

Heat the Superglue with some hot water so that it really seeps deep into the crevices you are repairing.