Cleaning the props..

[ColinR]

Use it, preferably at high speed

[mlines]

When I used autosol I found it went grey after the first use. I assumed this was polish left on the surface reacting with the salt water. When I cleaned them again I washed them down after polishing to make sure all traces of polish had gone.

I have also read, but not tried, that olive oil should be wiped over stainless steel to finish it. However this, in my mind, goes against the principles of stainless steel. As far as I am aware Stainless only remains stainless in the presence of sufficient oxygen which enables it to form the oxide layer on its surface. If you limit oxygen then it actually can rust, so I would have thought that coating in oil could promote corrosion.

[argonaut]

Never heard that stainless needs to form oxide.
In any event ... never had a problem with Autosol ..
Shine lasts for months.

[mlines]

Stainless steel works because the chromium in it forms a layer of chromium oxide on the surface that creates a barrier that stop the steel element rusting.

During manufacture it is passivated (dipped in acid) to promote this.

[betty boop]

When I used autosol I found it went grey after the first use. I assumed this was polish left on the surface reacting with the salt water. When I cleaned them again I washed them down after polishing to make sure all traces of polish had gone.

I have also read, but not tried, that olive oil should be wiped over stainless steel to finish it. However this, in my mind, goes against the principles of stainless steel. As far as I am aware Stainless only remains stainless in the presence of sufficient oxygen which enables it to form the oxide layer on its surface. If you limit oxygen then it actually can rust, so I would have thought that coating in oil could promote corrosion.

Olive oil I havent heard but WD40 is a recognised brushed stainless steel cleaner, not so sure about polished though, I found once yo use it you have too keep on using it but thats on the fridge/freezer slightly different.

[Cap'n Jack]

Interesting comments about Olive Oil. We have a Stainless Steel Maytag Fridge Freezer and when we bought it the dealer told us to use Baby Oil to keep it shiney as the acid from our skin/hands makes marks on it. All I can say is that we also have various Stainless Steel appliances and it works every time. Never used it on the prop though, its not waterproof!!

[argonaut]

I recall the DeLorean had this issue ... probably why no car manufacturer uses SS finish.

[betty boop]

Interesting comments about Olive Oil. We have a Stainless Steel Maytag Fridge Freezer and when we bought it the dealer told us to use Baby Oil to keep it shiney as the acid from our skin/hands makes marks on it. All I can say is that we also have various Stainless Steel appliances and it works every time. Never used it on the prop though, its not waterproof!!

baby oil - yes, olive oil yuk, can imagine all sorts of bacteria growth n mould being a veg oil. + a large supply of baby oil has othe uses