rust stains

[Allan Gibson]

HI, I have a high quality mainsail that came with my Mason, but it looks as if someone stored it for an extended period of time with a rusty anchor chain wrapped around it - extensive and dark rust stains everywhere. Is there a way to clean or bleach the sail back to white? I have tried various methods, but none so far have helped at all. If cleaning is not a viable option, is it possible to dye the sail (tanbark) to cover up the stains? Advice from the sailmakers would be very much appreciated.Allan GibsonNanaimo, BC

 

[Tim]

Try one of these

CLR may work but I don't know if it will damage the material. There is also a product called Glisten(sp?) that removes rust stains from dishwashers that works great. Again, I don't know if it will damage your sail. Can't hurt to try on the sail bag maybe. Just make sure it is rinsed wellTim

 

[Ray]

Rust Stain Remover

Try this!! Its made by "Whink" Rust Stain Remover. Works great. Even on gelcoat. Safe for fabrics. Sounds like an add. Good Luck

 

[Steve Ullrich]

Water Softener Cleaner

Sears sells a water softener cleaner designed to remove rust and iron from resin beds. Mix 5 oz. of cleaner in 2 gallons of water and soak for 30 minutes. I used it to take rust stains out of carpet where a file cabinet sat. The rust just seamed to disappear. No damage to the carpet. It also takes rust off concrete, metal surfaces, sinks, tile, etc...

 

[Bill Colombo]

Rust seems to be forever

Tim, I have never been that successful removing rust stains. Bleach seems to work OK but I would hesitate to use it on a tanbark sail. You might try some of the products mentioned by Steve, Ray, and Tim. Try a small spot first.Thanks,Bill C.