Cleaning up my Stainless steel - will this be ok ?

Dave-Fethiye · 28-08-2007, 12:46

Hello,

The stainless steel ( or chrome plated steel) not sure which, is getting rust from the seawater splashes.

Should I just rub it down with a cloth with soap on it ?

Some of my ss rails also have paint and polyester resin on (due to my carelessness

)

Would something like this stainless steel scouring pad be ok or will it dull the finish by leaving lots of scratches ?

senormechanico · 28-08-2007, 12:56

That scouring pad will do just that, scour. If you want a matte finish, go ahead, but I don't think you'll like it. Besides, by doing that you are increasing the surface area and promoting further corrosion. In other words DON'T DO IT!

We've always used phosphoric acid on a rag. Let it sit awhile, then rinse.
Repeat if necessary. You don't need to rub or scrub at all.

Steve B.

Dave-Fethiye · 28-08-2007, 13:04

I would not know where to buy phosphoric acid here in Turkey.
I read somewhere that vinegar is an eco-friendly and economical cleaner - will it clean up SS ?

senormechanico · 28-08-2007, 13:19

They must have some kind of hardware stores. Look for something which removes rust stains from toilets etc.

Vasco · 28-08-2007, 13:27

Oxalic acid will do the trick. I use "Barkeepers Friend" which is a powder with oxalic acid in it. Works real good. Just rub on with a sponge and rinse off.

Alan Wheeler · 28-08-2007, 13:32

Phosphoric Acid can be found in Concreate cleaners, most all rust converters and even CokaCola.
A british product was called Janellic I think. The next try would be Brasso or Silvo, metal polishes.
Even a car paint cutting compound on a rag will work. The Rust is actually impurities on the Chrome surface. If the rails are Chrome plated, the Chrome will not last long and you will see bad area's of the chrome eating away. No amount of cleaning will stop or cure it. SST will have a slight rusty tarnish and this will buff away quite easily.

billangiep · 28-08-2007, 16:26

I've had very good luck with the Miracle Polishing Cloth for stainless and brass.... Miracle Polishing And Cleaning Cloth . The original Miracle Cloth which has proven to out clean and polish any other product.
Bill,

TaoJones · 28-08-2007, 16:36

Naval Jelly.

TaoJones

Alan Wheeler · 29-08-2007, 00:40

Eeewwww. I get the odd piece of lint, but never Jelly.
;-) :-)

seafox · 29-08-2007, 01:34

Grunt Emergel gets rid of rust on everything. Stainless, fibreglass, sails.....

Alan Wheeler · 29-08-2007, 03:06

Emergel is just a gel and Phosphoric acid. Good stuff, but also easy to make as well.

senormechanico · 29-08-2007, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

Eeewwww. I get the odd piece of lint, but never Jelly.
;-) :-)

Only after you sweat a lot!

Steve B.

28-08-2007, 12:46	#1
Dave-Fethiye Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 96	Cleaning up my Stainless steel - will this be ok ? Hello, The stainless steel ( or chrome plated steel) not sure which, is getting rust from the seawater splashes. Should I just rub it down with a cloth with soap on it ? Some of my ss rails also have paint and polyester resin on (due to my carelessness ) Would something like this stainless steel scouring pad be ok or will it dull the finish by leaving lots of scratches ? Attached Thumbnails

28-08-2007, 13:27	#5
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto in summer, further south in winter. Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 1,804 Images: 34	Oxalic acid will do the trick. I use "Barkeepers Friend" which is a powder with oxalic acid in it. Works real good. Just rub on with a sponge and rinse off. __________________ Rick I Toronto

28-08-2007, 13:32	#6
Alan Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marlborough Sounds. New Zealand Boat: Hartley Tahitian 45ft. Leisure Lady Posts: 8,044 Images: 102	Phosphoric Acid can be found in Concreate cleaners, most all rust converters and even CokaCola. A british product was called Janellic I think. The next try would be Brasso or Silvo, metal polishes. Even a car paint cutting compound on a rag will work. The Rust is actually impurities on the Chrome surface. If the rails are Chrome plated, the Chrome will not last long and you will see bad area's of the chrome eating away. No amount of cleaning will stop or cure it. SST will have a slight rusty tarnish and this will buff away quite easily. __________________ Wheels For God so loved the world..........He didn't send a committee.

28-08-2007, 16:36	#8
TaoJones Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newport Beach, California and Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,089	Naval Jelly. TaoJones __________________ "Your vision becomes clear only when you look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks within, awakens." Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961)

29-08-2007, 00:40	#9
Alan Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marlborough Sounds. New Zealand Boat: Hartley Tahitian 45ft. Leisure Lady Posts: 8,044 Images: 102	Eeewwww. I get the odd piece of lint, but never Jelly. ;-) :-) __________________ Wheels For God so loved the world..........He didn't send a committee.

28-08-2007, 12:56	#2
senormechanico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Whidbey Island WA Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran Posts: 807	That scouring pad will do just that, scour. If you want a matte finish, go ahead, but I don't think you'll like it. Besides, by doing that you are increasing the surface area and promoting further corrosion. In other words DON'T DO IT! We've always used phosphoric acid on a rag. Let it sit awhile, then rinse. Repeat if necessary. You don't need to rub or scrub at all. Steve B.

28-08-2007, 13:04	#3
Dave-Fethiye Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 96	I would not know where to buy phosphoric acid here in Turkey. I read somewhere that vinegar is an eco-friendly and economical cleaner - will it clean up SS ?

28-08-2007, 13:19	#4
senormechanico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Whidbey Island WA Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran Posts: 807	They must have some kind of hardware stores. Look for something which removes rust stains from toilets etc.

28-08-2007, 16:26	#7
billangiep Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hudson, Florida Boat: Angela M. Bayfield 32c Posts: 48	I've had very good luck with the Miracle Polishing Cloth for stainless and brass.... Miracle Polishing And Cleaning Cloth . The original Miracle Cloth which has proven to out clean and polish any other product. Bill,

29-08-2007, 01:34	#10
seafox Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: new zealand Boat: Lotus 10.6 Posts: 1,253 Images: 25	Grunt Emergel gets rid of rust on everything. Stainless, fibreglass, sails.....

29-08-2007, 03:06	#11
Alan Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marlborough Sounds. New Zealand Boat: Hartley Tahitian 45ft. Leisure Lady Posts: 8,044 Images: 102	Emergel is just a gel and Phosphoric acid. Good stuff, but also easy to make as well. __________________ Wheels For God so loved the world..........He didn't send a committee.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ferro-cement?	marleman	Monohull Sailboats	290	20-09-2008 23:51
Stainless Steel Versus Spectra rope	seawind_hazzie	Deck hardware: Rigging, Sails & Hoisting	3	26-07-2007 01:31
Now what do i do with my Powersurvivor 40E ??	ribbony	Provisioning: Food & Drink	15	29-06-2007 12:12
Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner	otgadventures	Deck hardware: Rigging, Sails & Hoisting	13	27-06-2007 08:15
Polishing stainless steel	Chrisc	Construction, Maintenance & Refit	1	30-11-2006 01:47