Protection for standing rigging and props

Tubsmacker · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

It has been suggested to me that it is a good idea to apply stuff to the standing rigging to protect it from wear and the salty environment. What is this 'stuff', (is it just motor grease?) how often does one apply it and does it really do any good, as I cant see any corrosion on the stays etc anyway?

Also in the UK, there is a firm selling something called prop-shield. (www.prop-shield.com) a lanolin based substance. Is this new, or has it been tried and tested/reviewed. It is for props,shafts and rudders etc. The blurb says it extends prop life and repels barnacles and other hitchhikers.

Anyone any comments on any of this?

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Propshield is basically modified anhydrous lanolin, as in stuff from sheep... it works to protect underwater gear from barnacles since they can't get a grip on the stuff... it's too slippery...so they tend not to grow on it.

It can also be used to help prevent corrosion on the lower fittings, by helping exclude saltwater from the swaged fittings. Some sailors swear by it... some think it's complete bunk... Lanocote is basically the same stuff—anhydrous lanolin with some anti-corrosive additives. Good stuff. It also works to help prevent galvanic corrosion between stainless steel fasteners and aluminum hardware.

Tubsmacker · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Propshield is basically modified anhydrous lanolin, as in stuff from sheep...

Right then, I'll give the woolly mamouth a go...

I'm sure the stuff I heard about for rigging was sort of clay based with oil. The guy said that wire rope /rigging wore by stands rubbing under tension, or corroded from the inside outwards and this stuff worked its way in and helped to stop that. With some new rigging, I thought it might be a good idea to put some in..... er whatever 'IT' is, that is It wasn't prop shield but I'm gonna try that too.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Clay tends to be a bit abrasive... I certainly wouldn't be putting clay on my rigging... Most corrosion on wire rigging is caused by salt water being in close proximity with the steel and no oxygen being available to bond with the chromium in the stainless steel to passivate the surface and protect it.

hellosailor · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Tubsmacker, if your rigging is "wire over rope" with a rope core, then the rope can absorb water (a bad thing) and oiling the rigging can displace the water (a good thing) and let the rope act to keep an oil film on the wire as well.

Sheep grease, by any other name, is still a water-soluble oil similar to what's in your hair. The big advantage to it is that it is fairly non-staining and biodegradeable.

I've been told to use lanolin in the *fittings* mainly to ensure that water can't get in and then freeze, causing damage. Oiling the rigging itself...I'm not so sure, there's not a lot of lotion between the fibers once they've settled in, is there? What does the manufacturer of your rigging wire recommend?

Tubsmacker · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

I'll follow up some of this and report back next week. The wire rope ,(rigging) is wire on wire, not wire on fibre. The lanolin thing looks good although I have my doubts as to it's longevity in a harsh salt water environment. as for the clay, I agree about abrasion damage but apparently, the (stuff) product is designed to lubricate and protect steel wire from abrasion damage as well as corrosion. I've no idea why clay would be of any use..... but I'll find out..!

hellosailor · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Clay is like any other abrasive media--it comes in all grades. A "clay rubbed finish" can be the last abrasive applied to a classic car, i.e. after the 400-600-800-1200- abrasives. It crosses the line into "polish" which can be abrasive to some extent as well. So, perhaps the clay in question is simply polishing the steel very very finely, producing a smoother finish than the simple wire-drawing and fabricating process creates?

Remind me again, how does one climb a greased rigging to apply new polish to it?

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Remind me again, how does one climb a greased rigging to apply new polish to it?

Very carefully...

camaraderie · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

As I understand it...the prop shield works well unless you plan to use the prop to go somewhere.

Alden68 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Once you have barnacles on your prop....so to speak.....what is the best way to remove them?