Thread: dressing a neuform propellor?

My neuform prop has about 360 hours on it now and is beginning to develop small scatches and nicks on the trailing edge. Funny, the leading edge has stayed clean. Is there any way -- or is it even advisable -- to dress out these small nicks and scratches? A former mechanic said you could fill them with super glue, although we never tried that. - WF

Hi WF,

I'm not sure how big these nicks are, but for just scratches I would leave it alone. If it is a tiny little nick then a piece of sandpaper to smooth and round any sharp edges and make sure there is not any further cracks hiding. The trailing edge obviously isn't quite as important as the leading edge. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Roger Lee

Hi WF,
The trailing edge obviously isn't quite as important as the leading edge.

Why do you say the trailing edge is not so important? I thought the trailing edge was just as important as the leading edge when it came to things that could turn in to cracks.

I didn't quite mean it that way. The leading edge is a little more critical as far as dressing up nicks.

Here is a shot of the chips in question. Any reason to worry about them? WF

How the hell are you nicking that prop WF? I have been landing on an abandoned gravel road all summer next to one of our salvage yards and have paint chips on the front pant, but the prop looks like new. The chips can only be coming from the prop throwing gravel at it. I try to accelerate mildly and lift the nose asap but we are still chipping the pant only on the front wheel. Its a small price to pay to park 200 ft from your office. BTW I was formerly scrapman. The CTLS now has 525 hrs.

WF,


The picture looks like it's right on the very tip of the prop?
This isn't really an issue. I would how ever take a piece of sandpaper and just smooth it out. Just remove the sharp edges.

Thanks!

I noticed that one prop blade is completely clean while another has all the nicks, so it might be a manufacturing variation. I have always flown off paved runways except once, when I departed OSH from the grass. I will do the fine sandpaper!

WF