Cleaning up my Stainless steel - will this be ok ?

[Dave-Fethiye]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Vasco]

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]

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]

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]

Naval Jelly.

TaoJones

[Alan Wheeler]

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

[seafox]

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

[Alan Wheeler]

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

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

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

Only after you sweat a lot!

Steve B.