Polishing an Airplane Prop

[kshaw]

I recently had my Piper Warrior repainted and the paint shop polished my propeller to a mirror finish. I would like to keep it that way. I have been using Flitz metal polish applied with an elecric drill and a polishing pad but would like to use my Porter Cable instead. Would this be the appropriate tool to use for this or should I use a rotary tool? If so, what kind of pad should I use?

[SANTA3013]

What did they use to polish it? Picture?

[MarkD51]

As far as keeping such a pristine finish, I think any polish applied such as Flitz-etc will only offer short lived protection.

I myself would be thinking of something along the lines of a coating of some sort to preserve the finish. Perhaps something like Carpro DLX. This product is said to be able to handle some higher temperatures and might be suitable.

[Mike Phillips]

I recently had my Piper Warrior repainted and the paint shop polished my propeller to a mirror finish.

So just to clarify the prop is PAINTED.

I would like to keep it that way. I have been using Flitz metal polish applied with an electric drill and a polishing pad but would like to use my Porter Cable instead.

Would this be the appropriate tool to use for this or should I use a rotary tool?

If so, what kind of pad should I use?

Stick with the Porter Cable. Rotary buffers tend to leave holograms and you could burn through the paint on the sharp edges of the prop. It's actually possible to buff out the prop with your rotary using a fine cut or ultra fine cut polish and a GOLD JEWELING pad and create incredible gloss but you state that it already has a mirror finish?

For your Porter Cable stick with a foam polishing or finishing pad.

What do you have for pads?

[Mike Phillips]

I myself would be thinking of something along the lines of a coating

I agree with Mark. If the prop already has a mirror finish then seal the paint with a paint coating.

Easiest paint coating there is to use and it leaves a super glassy appearance that outlasts waxes or sealants.


Paint Coating, nano paint sealant, ceramic paint coating, nano paint coating