Removing Rust Stains on Deck

[Contraman]

I was refinishing my hatch boards on the boat and made a big mistake of using steel wool. I now have rust spots in many places on my deck. What's the best advice for removal?


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[HopCar]

Whink and Erusticator are hydrofloric acid based rust stain removers and are very effective at removing rust stains from fiberglass.
Rust Stain Remover | Rust Stain | Whink Products Company - America's #1 Specialty Cleaner Company, Eldora, IA

If you've got little rust spots over a large area, you might want to buy a box of oxalic acid, dissolve it in water and swab the deck with it. It's not as fast as the hydrofloric acid based rust removers but give it a little time to work and it should do the job. It's cheap too.

[paulajayne]

You will have lots of small pieces of steel wool embedded into the deck, hopefully not too secure.


I would first run a strong sea searcher magnet carefully over the full deck, taking time to cover everywhere you used the wool.

Put the magnet into a plastic bag first which will allow you to take the magnet out and the wool can then drop into a collecting receptacle.


HTH

[steve77]

We have had good luck with FSR cleaner by Davis. It is excellent for removing rust stains.

Cheers!

Steve

[SimonV]

Oxalic acid but be sparingly on stainless steel.

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[Contraman]

Originally Posted by SimonV

Oxalic acid but be sparingly on stainless steel.

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I'm leaning towards the Oxalic acid route. The rust specs are widely distributed on the deck. What precautions do I need to take for me and the boat when using this product.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[jreiter190]

Oxalic acid is what your great grandfather used to clean his straw hat. Diluted with lots of water, it is very benign cleaner.

[sailalibi]

CLR works well for us.

[seasick]

Ospho is a brand name and often comes with a neutralizing component. Otherwise a baking soda and water solution can be used after letting the oxolic acid do its magic. If your hull is any color but white make sure to rince it well or you'll end up with white streaks below your scuppers. Gloves and goggles aren't a bad idea. Read the directions. It works wonders if you let it sit for at least 15-minutes. I like the magnet in the bag trick of Paulajayne.

[flyout1]

Lemon juice removes rust stain from carpet.

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by Contraman

I'm leaning towards the Oxalic acid route. The rust specs are widely distributed on the deck. What precautions do I need to take for me and the boat when using this product.

Thanks for the suggestions.

The acid will cause stainless steel to become brittle.

[inchcailloch]

I swear by Sunbrite rust remover.......rust disappears before your eyes!

[HopCar]

I like the magnet idea. I'll stash that one in my poor brain. I wonder what I'll forget to make room for it?

Bronze wool next time, right?

[verkerkbr]

At first you don't see the metal iron particles. The next fase is, that the metal corrodes and gives the rust spots.

It is almost impossible te remove the rust specks with a polishing cleaner. You have to remove the oxide layer first with oxalic acid. And if the oxidised iron layer is removed, you can then remove the small iron particle.

Be carefull with oxalic acid. Let the solution work for about 15 minutes. Then rinsing with fresh water to remove the metals particles and to remove the acid.

Then you can clean the surface and give it a wax treatment.

These rust problems are very common. Be carefull when a neighbour with a steel hull starts grinding on his boat.

Bram

[Offshore1960]

Originally Posted by seasick

Ospho is a brand name and often comes with a neutralizing component. Otherwise a baking soda and water solution can be used after letting the oxolic acid do its magic. If your hull is any color but white make sure to rince it well or you'll end up with white streaks below your scuppers. Gloves and goggles aren't a bad idea. Read the directions. It works wonders if you let it sit for at least 15-minutes. I like the magnet in the bag trick of Paulajayne.

As Seasick mentioned Ospho, it works excellent. I use it on my tugboat all the time to clean up minor rust stains It will work well for your situation. Just be sure to wear gloves, goggles and rinse it really well with fresh water afterwards.