OK boys...

So last November I ordered a new 12.25" from Mud Buddy prop for my GTR35. I used it 2 times and found that just didn't work with my set up because I couldn't ever get more than 2700 rpms in the water. (almost NO wear on the new prop). This was the first Mud Buddy prop I've ever purchased. Certainly not anyone's fault that it didn't work.

So, I put on my old stock prop back on and put the Mud Buddy back in the away in the shed for the winter (Hanging on a nail on the wall). I decided to get the Mud Buddy prop back out today and try it again. To my suprise it was TOTALLY rusted. Every inch was covered in rust!

I've had about 5-7 stainless steel mud props and never had even a small amount of rust on any of them. Now I'm pissed. I can't even sell the damn thing because it looks like it came out of the scrap heap.

So, my questions to all of you are: Is this normal? Have you ever had a stainless steel prop rust? If it is stainless steel it shouldn't rust right? Is it even worth mentioning to Mud Buddy, or is it normal for their props to rust?

I appreciate your feedback.

hummmmmmm interesting question
sure would think it shouldnt have rusted, do you live near salt water?

This is what they say:

Stainless steel propellers can discolor and form areas of light rust. Brushed finish stainless props are more susceptible than brightly finished stainless steel props. Rust stains can occur from polluted water, galvanic corrosion from the boat or marina, or from oxygen depletion. The propeller can be easily cleaned with stainless steel wool, rubbing compound or Scotchbrite. Regular steel wool will leave steel residue and cause more rust. After cleaning, use chrome polish to protect the finish. Stainless steel props can also turn white from calcium or lime in the water. In this case, clean the prop with household mineral bath and tile cleaner.. Follow-up with chrome polish to protect the finish.

Other materials science info:

The basic resistance of stainless steel occurs because of its ability to form a protective coating on the metal surface. This coating is a ‘passive’ film which resists further ‘oxidation’ or rusting. The formation of this film is instantaneous in an oxidizing atmosphere such as air, water, or other fluids that contain oxygen. Once the layer has formed, we say that the metal has become ‘passivated’ and the oxidation or ‘rusting’ rate will slow down to less than 0.002″ per year (0.05 mm per year).

Unlike aluminum or silver, this passive film is invisible in stainless steel. It’s created when oxygen combines with the chrome in the stainless to form chrome oxide which is more commonly called ‘ceramic’. This protective oxide or ceramic coating is common to most corrosion resistant materials.

Halogen salts, especially chlorides, easily penetrate this passive film and will allow corrosive attack to occur. The halogens are easy to recognize because they end in the letters ‘ine’. Listed in order of their activity they are: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine.

These are the same chemicals that will penetrate Teflon and cause trouble with Teflon coated or encapsulated o-rings and/ or similar coated materials. Chlorides are one of the most common elements in nature and if that isn’t bad enough, they’re also soluble, active ions. These provide the basis for electrolytes. The presence of electrolytic solutions can accelerate corrosion or chemical attack.

So it depends on what was on it and what was around it when it was stored. You can knock it off and you should be able to sell that prop.

Put the prop back on the motor go find some sand or mud,grind away and walla your prop should shine.

Thanks for the info.

The thing that has me confused is that no other stainless prop I've ever had has rusted. FYI- I don't live anywhere near saltwater.

I'm going to take a picture and post it later today.

did you have any chemicals stored near or below the prop like muriatic acid?

Absolutely nothing could have got near the prop while it was stored (next to another prop that didn't rust). There are all sorts of tools right there and they didn't rust. It was totally dry the entire time.

There isn't any way that any crazy chemicals could have touched the prop. I'm totally dumbfounded.

Deadbird~ did you get your info from Mud Buddy?

Stainless steel can and does rust, but its rate of rusting is much less than that for low chromium alloys. Stainless steel must contain at least 12% chromium to be classified as truly stainless. Other metals are added to enhance more specific properties of the steel.

Like everything else mudbuddy sells, their props go to chit also.

good info dead bird.

why not add a sacraficial anode like some outboards do??

I had a Go Devil prop do the same thing I just cleaned it on a wire wheel then polished it on a buffing wheel and it seems to be fine. No complaints here.

I guess I'll live with it.