Rust Stain Removal

[croaker stroker]

I used this stuff to remove bad rust stains in my fiberglass. This is a strong acid, so take the precautions on the container...wear eye protection, gloves. Do not breathe fumes. Try a small inconspicuous area first.

This did not affect my gelcoat, but again...try a small inconspicuous area first.

[La-Z-Buoy]

Good to know. Thanks. Looks like it's available everywhere and reasonable price.

[xplorz]

Great results! Thanks for posting.

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[digitalfella]

Ever used Davis FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover)?   The active ingredient is oxalic acid and it is hot enough to make you want to wear gloves, but nothing crazy.  It has worked well for me over the years.   Just curious how it might compare?

DF

[croaker stroker]

Ever used Davis FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover)?   The active ingredient is oxalic acid and it is hot enough to make you want to wear gloves, but nothing crazy.  It has worked well for me over the years.   Just curious how it might compare?

DF

Looks like Whink has a different ingredient. Probably not recommended for fiberglass?  My gelcoat is old and hard and no gloss, so I had no issues. That's why I say try it on a small inconspicuous area first. My stains were severe so this was the strongest rust remover I could find.

https://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Whink-Rust-Stain-Remover.pdf

[digitalfella]

Older FG with no wax or gloss is the worst.  Grease, rust, or anything similar just soaks right into it well below the surface.  TSP floor cleaner with either heavy Scotchbright  or 600grit is another option but you will need to buff afterwards with compound.

DF

[AJFishin]

If you run out of Whink pick up "The Works", $2 at Home Depot, does a great job on cleaning the rust stains and other stains off of boats.

[croaker stroker]

"the Works" SDS says "Hydrochloric Acid"  (swimming pool acid ?)

[GregE]

I use FSR, layer it on and let sit for a while.  Fingers will feel greasy if no gloves and the fumes can be irritating. 
It gets TUNA blood out and nothing much is tougher

[Old Chaser]

anybody try the starbrite rust remover: ive only used this twice and was totally satisfied, especially no scrubbing just spray on and repeat as needed -used it in the bathroom also. no scrubing

[Megabytez]

I'll have to try this year! Thanks for posting this


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[Danno]

Ever used Davis FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover)?   The active ingredient is oxalic acid and it is hot enough to make you want to wear gloves, but nothing crazy.  It has worked well for me over the years.   Just curious how it might compare?

DF

Looks like Whink has a different ingredient. Probably not recommended for fiberglass?  My gelcoat is old and hard and no gloss, so I had no issues. That's why I say try it on a small inconspicuous area first. My stains were severe so this was the strongest rust remover I could find.

https://bigcatrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Whink-Rust-Stain-Remover.pdf

Oxalic acid is one of the more common rust stain removers because it works well on light stains.

Wink uses a very low concentration of hydrofluoric (HF) acid which is a very strong acid. Stronger than hydrochloric. So much so that concentrated HF should not be stored in glass containers. Wink aklso contains Denatonium Benzoate which was a new, but widely used, chemcial to me. It has a number of interesting uses that I learned about ion Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatonium. My guess is it is used in wink to get children to spit it out before the HF does a number on the kid.

Hydrochloric acid (HCL) is used in pools and will eat cement even in rust removing concentrations as I suspect the HF will as well.

For light rust stains, I would start with oxalic acid based rust removers.

[headduck]

Baking soda is really nice to have around to neutralize spilled acid.

I remember in chem classes we had a fairly stout mixture in spray bottle. (Baking soda and water) Dont apply powder directly.

It will bubble a bit as it releases CO2 (every TV show elementary school volcano science experiment, with vinegar and baking soda) so be careful not to replicate and allow plenty of ventilation.

[BigMac]

I use FSR, layer it on and let sit for a while.  Fingers will feel greasy if no gloves and the fumes can be irritating. 
It gets TUNA blood out and nothing much is tougher

Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when using products containing oxalic acid like FSR.  I like this gel base preparation because application is more controllable than the liquid ones.  This also works well removing the brown stain on fiberglass exposed to Columbia R. water, known locally as the Columbia River Crud.

[AJFishin]

I use FSR, layer it on and let sit for a while.  Fingers will feel greasy if no gloves and the fumes can be irritating. 
It gets TUNA blood out and nothing much is tougher

Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when using products containing oxalic acid like FSR.  I like this gel base preparation because application is more controllable than the liquid ones.  This also works well removing the brown stain on fiberglass exposed to Columbia R. water, known locally as the Columbia River Crud.

I was wearing gloves and glasses, but I had a small scrape on my arm and I got just a tiny bit of The Works cleaner on it and it felt like my arm was on fire. But quickly I washed it off with soap and water and all was good, fast lesson learned, wear protective coverings