Getting rid of rust stains from fibreglass/gelcoat?

alt · 03 April 2007, 19:13

Has anyone come up with a solution for removing rust stains from fibreglass/gelcoast? There's som staining on the boat interior, i've replaced the guilty screws with stainless ones, but would like to get rid of the stains that they caused

GuyP · 03 April 2007, 19:17

There's a product called Y10 (a gel) which you apply with a brush and wash off after 10 minutes. I've just used it and it works really well. Costs £10 for about 500ml

Use it on the hull to get rib of any yellow staining from marine growth as well.

floater · 03 April 2007, 20:55

Astonish !! shifts rust no problem and most other things

but be aware that it is abrasive so you need to re polish afterwards

but its only 79p from wilkis

Andy

jyasaki · 03 April 2007, 21:13

Have you tried white vinegar?

Or a Calcium/Lime/Rust household cleaner (usually contains some kind of acid... Phosphoric?)

jky

Slaphead · 03 April 2007, 21:49

Oxalic acid is supposed to be good. Wipe on then remove with a wet sponge quickly. Can be got from your local chemist. Good for removing rust from wood as well.

Please note I have not used this stuff myself.

Nos4r2 · 03 April 2007, 22:58

Sixy_the_red · 04 April 2007, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Are you having an affair with Barry Scott?!

alt · 04 April 2007, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I rang Barry but aparantly he's too busy to consult me on my rust stains

Jizm · 04 April 2007, 09:32

too busy cleaning 2 pence pieces no doubt...

cameronke · 04 April 2007, 10:18

As Slaphead says, oxallic acid will do the job well. I got mine from Boots (special order) for about £5. Be very careful when handling as it is very toxic; wear gloves and watch for splashes.

A useful trick is to mix it with wall paper paste to make it gloopy to stick to vertical surfaces. Roll/brush on, leave for a few minutes and then hose off....made a great job of my (ahem) sailing boat

Cameron

alt · 04 April 2007, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameronke

As Slaphead says, oxallic acid will do the job well. I got mine from Boots (special order) for about £5. Be very careful when handling as it is very toxic; wear gloves and watch for splashes.

A useful trick is to mix it with wall paper paste to make it gloopy to stick to vertical surfaces. Roll/brush on, leave for a few minutes and then hose off....made a great job of my (ahem) sailing boat

Cameron

Thanks for that. Did you need to polish afterwards? Does it attack gelcoat?

MikeCC · 04 April 2007, 11:36

There's a StarBrite product available designed specifically for the job. I think it is just call Rust Stain Remover.

Where's Mr BoatCareUK when you need him?

IBWET · 04 April 2007, 12:03

So you can use a albino chicken on your rust stains, how hard do you rub

On a serious note anything with 3M on it works,or so I've found.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

There's a product called Y10 (a gel) .

cameronke · 04 April 2007, 12:26

Didn't polish but I never do. Just left it on for about 10 mins and hosed off. All rust stains and general brown stains gone. It did bleach my anti-foul a bit though.

No apparent damage to gel coat but check PBO forum for further details

Cameron

GuyP · 04 April 2007, 13:10

Y10 is oxalic acid based and as it's a gel it sticks to surfaces straight out of the tin.

Cillit Bang works great on barnacles and calcium based deposits (I've just cleaned the hull with it) but it doesn't get rid of tough staining that has permeated the gel coat. Give it a go first though, as it's only £2

Milo72 · 04 April 2007, 15:43

Auto Sol. Comes in a metal 'toothpaste' tube, about £3 from any auto factors shop.
just put it on with a toothbrush or cloth and polish off.
It brings the console and moulding up treat and takes out any stains and is ideal on the stainless of course...

le_forban29 · 04 April 2007, 22:37

Mattchem Cleanboat Gel, works a treat. Apply the gel with a brush, have a cold one (10mn), rinse, all set.