Rust stains

[IanWR]

Trilliums often have rust stains coming from the belly bead because the pop rivets holding it have carbon steel mandrels and they rust!

These stains can be removed with hydrochloric acid (muratic acid same thing) or a cut lemon which cannot harm anything.

Cheers

[rgrugg]

Muriatic acid is dilute hydrochloric acid if my memory of high school chemistry from over 50 years ago isn't failing me. Wouldn't be a good idea to use undiluted HCl.

[bbuehler]

...you are not EXTREMELY careful and wear protective EVERYTHING while doing this, OUT in the OPEN AIR.

Much easier, by FAR for me, is that wonderful trailer companion of mine, BARKEEPER's FRIEND. It's a cleanser that sells for under a dollar and is UNREAL in it's cleaning fiberglass capabilities...of course, I cleaned old oxdized trailers and not pristine ones with perfect gel-coat finishes!!!!

[vinogirl]

Try using boat cleaner that deoxidizes. Worked on mine.
Got it from Home Hardware.

[Will M.]

bbuehler

Barkeepers Friend does work well, but if you are concerned about using acid you should be aware that it contains oxalic acid, the same stuff used in many chrome cleaners. I searched all over to find it after reading about it on this forum. I ended up picking it up at a Lowes in the US. Shortly thereafter my local Home Hardware store started stocking it (three blocks from my home). Go figure! It works very well as a prep for the Redmax and also to clean the glass cooktop on my stove.

[Vivian]

Is the Barkeepers Friend you use in powder form or liquid?

[Will M.]

I have tried the powder only. I imagine the liquid works just as well but it is more expensive.

[Darnelle]

Thanks for the tip on Lemon juice Ian!

For sterilizing, use vinegar instead of bleach. Vinegar is just as effective as bleach but completely safe.

[Ann B]

bbuehler
you are oh so correct
dumb A$$ at work spilled some DH walked through it --ate through his work boots ,sock & into his skin took months for it to heal!!

[Donna D.]

The very best way to deal with rust... is to PREVENT it. Pay attention to the needs of the trailer and take care of rust as a maintenance issue. When items start to rust, either seal it up or replace. It's far easier than dealing with rust on the gelcoat.

[Carol H]

3M's boat Restore & Wax will also take the stains off.

[GeorgeR]

For rust stain removal on fiberglass I use oxalic acid which not as aggressive as hydrochloric acid; it doesn’t generate nasty fumes as HCl does. I would never use full strength (36% by weight) HCl. For tough rust stain I mix it with mildly aggressive aqueous polishing fluid and rub the stained area using gloves.
George.

WEST MARINE Cleaner at West Marine