Gettimg rid of rust stains on decks

[wilf]

Anyone have any tips or recomendations of products to remove rust stains from gelcoat and non slip painted surfaces ?

 

[rgranger]

Oxalic Acid

 

[rgranger]

There are a lot of products that have oxalic acid in them. Bar Keepers Friend is a good choice, Rit rust remover is also oxalic acid.

You can also try lemon juice or vinegar but those only work well if it is surface stain only. Whatever you try, let it sit for a while then wash it off.

 

[rgranger]

Here is a link to bulk oxalic acid .... much cheaper than buying things like Bar Keeper's Friend

https://www.factorydirectchemicals....ce=googlepla&gclid=CNK91oO_19MCFQiHswodNocOqg

 

[wilf]

There are a lot of products that have oxalic acid in them. Bar Keepers Friend is a good choice, Rit rust remover is also oxalic acid.

You can also try lemon juice or vinegar but those only work well if it is surface stain only. Whatever you try, let it sit for a while then wash it off.

Thanks will look for that, i tried lemon juice but dodnt work

 

[Tally Ho]

I use Barkeepers Friend. Not too expensive and pretty widely available. It also has some cleanser in it, so works great on non-skid. It does dull flat fiberglass however, and it needs to be waxed at a minimum.

They also make BarKeepers in a liquid/gel. I still prefer the cleanser type. Seems to clean better.

Greg

 

[capta]

Phosphoric acid is what is used to keep rust stains off the white cruise ship hulls. Of course (I hope) you won't need it by the 55 gallon drum so you can find it by the gallon or quart in most hardware stores or boat chandlers, as Ospho.
Also very good, but more expensive, is a product also made specifically to take off rust and other stains from gelcoat; On & Off Hull/Bottom Cleaner.
I've found neither to be especially dangerous, if the directions/cautions are followed.

 

[dlochner]

Try Davis Fiberglass Stain Remover

 

[wilf]

I use Barkeepers Friend. Not too expensive and pretty widely available. It also has some cleanser in it, so works great on non-skid. It does dull flat fiberglass however, and it needs to be waxed at a minimum.

They also make BarKeepers in a liquid/gel. I still prefer the cleanser type. Seems to clean better.

Greg

Thanks will go look for some tomorrow

 

[EV21]

Also saw Oxalic Acid on ebay. 5 Lbs powder for $14.75 w/free shipping.

 

[Chief RA]

Get "the works" at most any dollar store. It works! Chief

 

[JamesG161]

Phosphoric acid is what is used to keep rust stains off the white cruise ship hulls.

The US Navy uses it is the gelled form called...

Naval Jelly

http://www.truevalue.com/product/Naval-Jelly-Rust-Dissolver-16-oz-/5459.uts?keyword=naval jelly

Jim...

 

[rardiH36]

Get "the works" at most any dollar store. It works! Chief

1) Ditto the "The Works" as recommended by Chief RA. Also does fantastic as removing tannin stains from the hull. I've attached a pic of how it cleaned the tannin from my hull the first time I used it. No scrubbing. Just a couple of applications with a sponge wetted with "The Works". I also use it for 1) removing rust stains from sails. Just dab it on with a brush over the rust stain. Might take a few applications, but the rust will disappear. 2) Wiping over my entire hull before the annual waxing. It seems to restore much of the white. My theory is the oxalic acid dissolves mineral and scale deposits.

I get mine at Dollar Tree. Here is a url link to show what to look for.

https://www.dollartree.com/The-Works-16-oz-Tub-Shower-Cleaner/p6065/index.pro

2) But another observation: Where are the gelcoat rust stains coming from? Usually will be from stainless steel fittings' rust that has leached around and into the adjacent gelcoat. Or from water constantly dripping off rusted stainless steel fittings or from standing rigging. If this is the case, then the SS also should be treated. As reviewed by Mainesail a number of years ago, "Spotless Stainless", does wonders restoring old rust tarnished stainless to rust free. With citric acid as its active ingredient, a layer of passivation is imparted which inhibits the rate of re-staining with rust. Oxalic acid will remove rust stains from Stainless Steel. But leaves the surface unprotected and prone to fast re-rusting.

Spotless Stainless will remove gelcoat rusts stains as well. It's a tad on the expensive side. But it is a product that in fact works. Been using it myself for about 7 years now. And I re-order when I run out.

 

[wilf]

1) Ditto the "The Works" as recommended by Chief RA. Also does fantastic as removing tannin stains from the hull. I've attached a pic of how it cleaned the tannin from my hull the first time I used it. No scrubbing. Just a couple of applications with a sponge wetted with "The Works". I also use it for 1) removing rust stains from sails. Just dab it on with a brush over the rust stain. Might take a few applications, but the rust will disappear. 2) Wiping over my entire hull before the annual waxing. It seems to restore much of the white. My theory is the oxalic acid dissolves mineral and scale deposits.

I get mine at Dollar Tree. Here is a url link to show what to look for.

https://www.dollartree.com/The-Works-16-oz-Tub-Shower-Cleaner/p6065/index.pro

2) But another observation: Where are the gelcoat rust stains coming from? Usually will be from stainless steel fittings' rust that has leached around and into the adjacent gelcoat. Or from water constantly dripping off rusted stainless steel fittings or from standing rigging. If this is the case, then the SS also should be treated. As reviewed by Mainesail a number of years ago, "Spotless Stainless", does wonders restoring old rust tarnished stainless to rust free. With citric acid as its active ingredient, a layer of passivation is imparted which inhibits the rate of re-staining with rust. Oxalic acid will remove rust stains from Stainless Steel. But leaves the surface unprotected and prone to fast re-rusting.

Spotless Stainless will remove gelcoat rusts stains as well. It's a tad on the expensive side. But it is a product that in fact works. Been using it myself for about 7 years now. And I re-order when I run out.

 

[wilf]

Left a box of screws on the deck thats where the majar stain came from but theres couple other spots on the cockpit seats theyre not round any of the deck fittings which is good

 

[EV21]

JamesG161 - Noting your post re Naval Jelly. Will it work for rust stains on fiberglass/gelcoat? Reason I ask is that it might be handy for non-horizontal spots where you could dab some on and let it "hang on" while it works.