Rust Stain Removal

[FreeBeeTony]

Any hints/suggestions on removing rust stains from fiberglass? I own a '78 20' Grady White and there are a few spots of rust in the fiberglass, ie where the water drains out of the anchor locker, water must have sat there for a while at sometime......I tried compound but it doesn't seem to work. Any suggestions are welcome....

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

Try wet sanding with 800-600 grade paper.<br />Try a small patch first. Need need to rub hard- just make sure to keep the paper wet - circular motion. If you like the results - continue. Final steps with 1600 grit paper and compound. Seal as you normally would.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

I think I'd start with the least abraive probucts first. Bar Keepers Friend or [I think it's called] CLR stain remover. Both found in the household cleaner section of larger supermarkets or Wal-Mart.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

Use an acid product made for re-disolving iron oxid back into solution. Then rinse it away. Abrasives are not necesarry and very ineffective if there is any porosity in the surface to be cleaned.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

We use Tidy Bowl or Sno Bowl cleaner.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

Boomyal, what type of acis are you talking about?<br />Dhadley, I think I might try Tidy Bowl before the acid.........

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

You can use on-off bottom cleaner ,it will work instantly.It is an acid designed for fiberglass.CLR may work.There is also a fiberglass cleaner in a small blue jar that will work available at west marine.I would avoid any wet sanding at this point,try the easy way first.Charlie

 

[profish00]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

There is a product called HULL CLEANER found at Walmart or Academy $6.99 I use just enough to damp a cloth to remove stains and blood from the boat, rust may take a few wipeings. It works on the bathroom as well for rust and scum removal.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

FBT, certain acid products are made specifically for DISSOLVING rust. Try to find a product called Whink. Comes in a 6 oz squeeze bottle. Rust will disappear b4 your very eyes. Don't use abrasives. Fiberglass gelcoat is too porous and the rust gets below the surface where abrasives will not abraid. Continued use of acids can etch surfaces but occasional use will show no surface degradation like abrasives will. Nothing with chlorine in it will even touch the rust.

 

[BillP]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

Ditto with what Dhadley says. I've used Tidybowl/Snowbowl types on gel coat for over 20 yrs and never had a problem. Put it on and wait maybe five minutes before washing off. For really bad areas it takes a few times but does remove stains while leaving the gelcoat untouched. It's is a very mild phosphoric acid so may damage gel if left on too long. <br /><br />Oxalic acid is better but not easy to find anymore. It was used as radiator flush until the environmental tree huggers got involved. I switched to Tidybowl because of this.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

I tried CLR the other day with less than impressive results. I went back to the ol Sno Bowl and cleaned the entire hull of my 20' Dusky with 1/2 bottle. It even removed the dock marks and marks from other boat rubrails with no scrubbing. Wipe on and rinse off. What a deal.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

FYI..<br /><br />Oxalic acid is the cleaning agent used in Bar Keepers Friend.<br /><br />As for Snol-Bol. If you get the stuff on your galvanized trailer, or anything else metal, you'll know why it's a bad idea to use. It's for toilets people...

 

[BillP]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

Oxalic is the way to go so thanks for the info on Barkeepers. But, unless you leave them on for a LONG time the Snowbowl types are too weak to hurt any of your hardware or galvanized trailers. If so I would have seen it in all these years. I did a 20'Proline once a year for 10 years and never saw signs of damage to boat or galv trailer.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Rust Stain Removal

Sorry for the outburst. I know it's no excuse but I got some bad news today ad I guess I got a little testy.<br /><br />I've heard many accounts of Sno-Bol type cleaners being used on boats with good results. They're not for me but what the heck...