Not trying to sound stupid, but what do you guys use ? I was about to go out there with a rotary buffing pad when I thought I'd best asked. I have an aluminium spinner that I assume was polished when new but has become tarnished and dull - just bought the aircraft.
(I'm assuming all aluminium spinners are "polishable". Maybe that's my first mistake...)
Timely question. I just contacted Don Ramos of Ramos Plating Company last week for an upcoming article on spinners for Cessna Owner magazine. His firm does this type of polishing and is located in Oklahoma City.
If it is not practical to ship out your spinner for polishing (I believe you are not located in the US), what you are proposing should certainly shine it up nicely. The key, however, will be to apply a couple of very light coats of clear coat acrylic to keep it looking nice, after all of your hard work.
That is all I have done with my spinners. I have a orbital buffer that I put a polishing pad on and apply some polishing cream. It seems to smell really bad, almost like something is burning, but it does the trick. I have not managed to put any holes in them yet. Just keep the pad moving. Never buff in one spot for very long.
Very interesting, 'cause I just put in an order for a new spinner - polished aluminum, no less! Can I protect my spinner right from the start by also applying a few light coats of clear coat acrylic? And Dave, SA rules, dude (I lived there too).
I just got my plane back from the annual and prop/spinner overhaul. I see in one of the latest airplane magazines the writer said polishing a prop/spinner is the last thing you'll want to do. Although I am open to his argument, I did exactly that - polish my old prop and spinner. They were in need of an overhaul due to a quite deep dent into one of the leading edges, and I thought - why not? - it's an old prop, let's experiment a little. If it doesn't turn out good, then I can get a new prop.
Well, well, well. I believe the word to describe the "new" shiny prop and spinner is simply "awesome". The prop looks like a mirror, and it is impossible to tell that it was the same dented prop I flew with so many years.
Of course a hangar discussion developed around how these props are kept clean and shiny. Someone then sweared by Windex, a common household window cleaner, and baby diapers to wipe with ("always in small circles!"). If you do it after shut-down, you'll get the bugs off real easy ( and you will never spend more than 3-5 minutes at a time), and she's a-shinin' away!
An addendum to my "spotless shiny prop" saga (see the OCD?). I found something else that works even better for keeping up the shine on a polished aluminum prop - and I have to thank my wife for that. She looked at me buffing away, and said: "Why don't you just use the Pledge wipes I use to clean the stainless kitchen appliances?"
Now I carry them in my plane. As soon as I tie down, I pull one or two out and give 'em a quick wipe - awesome!!
Jakes Dekker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just got my plane back from the annual and
> prop/spinner overhaul. I see in one of the latest
> airplane magazines the writer said polishing a
> prop/spinner is the last thing you'll want to do.
> Although I am open to his argument, I did exactly
> that - polish my old prop and spinner. They were
> in need of an overhaul due to a quite deep dent
> into one of the leading edges, and I thought - why
> not? - it's an old prop, let's experiment a
> little. If it doesn't turn out good, then I can
> get a new prop.
>
> Well, well, well. I believe the word to describe
> the "new" shiny prop and spinner is simply
> "awesome". The prop looks like a mirror, and it is
> impossible to tell that it was the same dented
> prop I flew with so many years.
>
> Of course a hangar discussion developed around how
> these props are kept clean and shiny. Someone then
> sweared by Windex, a common household window
> cleaner, and baby diapers to wipe with ("always in
> small circles!"). If you do it after shut-down,
> you'll get the bugs off real easy ( and you will
> never spend more than 3-5 minutes at a time), and
> she's a-shinin' away!
>
> I will still have to see for myself, of course...
Unless the prop came from the factory polished, polishing the prop will result in an unairworthy prop and airplane. The type certificate or PMA
for the prop will specify the finish coating, I believe it is usually anodized or coated with an epoxy paint....
