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If you have a prop that is dinged and dog eared it might be worth your while to clean it up. A prop that is in less than good shape will waste gas, loose power and speed, create vibration and in some cases damage the engine.
First look at the prop blades for alignment. While looking from a side view rotate the prop to check for a bent blade. As you turn it all the blades should look the same (point at the same angle). Look at the tips of the blades and make sure they aren't bent.
I have seen some people use a block of wood and a hammer to straighten a prop. Not recommended. After a prop is straightened it needs to be balanced. You also risk breaking a blade. This is a job for a pro.
What you can do is get a file and dress the edge of the prop. Any metal pushed over to the side creating a burr needs to be filed off. Any little gouges on the edge of a blade can be lightly dressed. Take off as little metal as possible. Try to not file the edge thinner than it was. Thinning creates a weaker blade. This is critical with an aluminum prop. A stainless prop can live with some thinning but it is at the cost of some of it's strength.
If the prop is badly damaged, have it repaired. The cost varies with the amount of work done and the type of prop (some props cannot be repaired) but it should cost less than a new prop. Running with a damaged prop will eventually eat up more dollars than you are trying to save.
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