Nail polish helps an anode stay attached
Issue 87 : Nov/Dec 2012
Without trying to revisit political skirmishes involving lipstick and pigs, what good old boat wouldn’t benefit from a little nail polish? Nail polish on a yacht, you say?
The cone-shaped zinc anode protecting my Max-Prop is secured by three machine screws through the thin edges of the casting. Over time, the screws become loose as the zinc beneath them wastes away, as it is intended to. While enough mass of zinc material remains in contact with the bronze prop hub to offer anodic protection, there isn’t enough for the screws to hold onto. Occasional re-tightening of the screws helps, but the entire zinc can easily be lost when the edges become too crumbly.
A cheap bottle of nail polish can extend the service life of these somewhat pricey zincs. Before installing a new zinc, apply several liberal coats of nail polish in and around its screw holes. The nail polish acts as insulation, slowing the zinc degradation at the screw holes while not interfering with the necessary zinc-to-bronze contact. Also, be sure to clean the bronze prop hub with a Scotch-Brite pad to ensure an oxide-free surface contact between the prop and the new zinc.
Helpful hint: in the interest of domestic tranquility, don’t even think about nipping your wife’s $19 bottle of Estee Lauder!
Ron Schaper, aka Capt. Ron, holds a 100 Ton USCG Masters License and is active in offshore racing and cruising, currently in a Sabre 402.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
