Rust Marks

[jorgefife]

I have a sail for a Pearson 35 which I got, early days, before I knew the difference from port to starboard.
I want to sell it, but it has a couple of what appears to be rust marks
What is the best way to clean up, if not all, at least some?
It is a very good sail, and I am not asking for much, but the marks will surely raise eyebrows...

 

[Steve Dion]

Try this:

http://www.neilprydesails.com/faq.htm

I think many other acids will work too. (Oxalic Acid, hydrocloric etc)

 

[rardiH36]

For only $1

Hi Jorge:

If you've got $1, I've had great success for spot rust removal on my sails with either of the following two products available at my local Dollar Tree Store:

1) http://www.dollartree.com/cleaning-...Tub-Shower-Cleaner/212c256c256p6065/index.pro

2) Per the attached picture.

Number 1 is a general bathroom cleaner that contains oxalic acid. Just brush some on. Rust will gradually disappear after several minutes. A few applications might be necessary.

Number 2 is a shower cleaner with a mixture of oxalic and citrus acid. Just spray it on the rust spot. (I did this several weeks ago when the sail was up while out sailing on a calm day ... left the berth with some rust stains, returned with a rust stain free sail.) Same effect as number 1 above. However, citrus acid is the prime ingredient for a marine stainless steel rust remover called Spotless Stainless. The citric acid removes rust but also neutralizes the stainless steel surface. (I've used Spotless Stainless following Maine Sail's good review -- the stuff works great!)

Product No.1 also does a good job removing the brown tannin stains from the water line area of my hull. I just wipe it on with a saturated paper towel. Again, a couple of applications are necessary.

regards,

 

[jorgefife]

Thank you very much: will try it, there is a dollar tree up the road

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

I do like anything from Dollar Tree! --might be embarrassed to admit how much on my boat comes from there!

 

[jorgefife]

Believe it or not, never been to one!
$.99 Store, King Dollar, yes, but never Dollar Tree
And only snobs want to show off: I remember I once emptied a bottle of cheap and viciously nasty Autumn Harvest Red wine ( while I was in South Africa) into a Meelust bottle ( the Rolls Royce of reds) and served to some friends who were snobbish: after inserting his nose into the glass and swirling it repeatedly, he declared it was an enormously delicate Cabernet... indeed, at the equivalent (then) of less than one $ ... never had the heart to confess the trickery, so there you have it!