I have the same props on my '97 and had the EXACT same problem. I got inventive and used a wire wheel to strip all the black paint off the props thinking I could re-paint them easily. WELL --- Things didn't work for "You know what" and the paint was 75% GONE after the first outing with the boat. I them sent them to Murphy's Propeller in Norfolk where they stripped them, polished them Checked and balanced as well as stamping my last name on the outer hub. ALL at a very reasonable price. That was 8 years ago and they only have 1 or 2 very small stains on them. Don't bother with the paint -- IT WON'T LAST!