Rust stains on genoa

[Tina]

Is there a safe way to remove rust stains from the sail fabric? The sails are original to a 75 ODay 22?Thanks in advanceTina

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Stains

Tina -There are a number of methods out there, generally using a solution with some percentage of bleach. If it were my sail, however, I would take it to a loft to have it cleaned. I have no first had experience with the problem but apparently using the bleach solution can ruin the fabric of the sails and hasten their demise.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Josh]

Bleach is the DEVIL!

Even diluted, bleach isn't a good idea. Just look what it will do to your clothing..thats what it would do to your sails. If it can eat through my jeans, it can eat through a sail. If you DO choose to use it, if I'm right bleach can be deactivated by spraying vinigar on it. I think thats right anyways. Meaning, you can stop it from eating away more after the stains fade. Just spraying it with water wont hack it.There are many cleaning products out there, orange clean and oxy-clean spring to mind, but then again you need to know exactly HOW the product is cleaning the stain. Just because it's not bleach or acid based doesn't mean it won't damage the sail material. Aside from doing as Justin states, getting a professional cleaning, you might want to ask the pros what they'd suggest using. I've found most places are helpful even if you aren't doing direct business with them. My assumption is that they figure if they help you clean them yourself, you'll come back when you need their help. The worst they can do is turn you away!Josh

 

[Ric Shultz]

bleach is not acid

Bleach is not acid, it is an oxidizer, so vinager won't work. Flushing will help and the bleach will leave the fabric over time as it converts back to gas. It is held in solution in a number of ways, but most common is by combining it with a salt. If you left a bucket of bleach in open air for a year, the concentration would end up mostly salt water.It reacts with the organics (cotton) in your jeans by oxidizing them. The same is true for bactiria, stains, etc. Sail cloth is a polomer? like dacron which is oil based, but the stitching, I don't know. I have used it to clean sail stains, but flushed repeatedly and then left in the open air until the bleach smell is gone and then flushed again. The sails seem ok, but a chemist could tell us more. I do pools so I know just enough to be dangerous.

 

[Don Evans]

Concur With Ric...

Bleach "sets", or oxidizes a stain. You want to do the opposite and reduce the rust from "ferric" to ferrous", which puts the iron back into solution. The best product for this is oxalic acid crystals dissolved in some hot water to form a paste. You can buy this in paint stores and is known as "wood bleach". Dab a little on the sail and let sit for a few minutes (may take a bit longer), and rinse well with warm water. The product "Zud", contains oxalic acid, so you could try this too (its at a much lower concentration though). Please be careful as this is a fairly potent toxin (in concentrated form especially). Obey all safety precautions, and dilute it well after with plenty of water. As usual, test a small area first before tackling the bulk of the stain.Don

 

[David]

Woolite in the bath tub.

Tina,I'm new to sailing. When I spoke to a marina owner, who came highly recommended, about cleaning sails. He said he only will take sails in for cleaning over the winter. He suggested using a mild soap like Woolite in the bath tub.David