Rust Stains on Nylon Rode

[captain465]

I have a 300' length of 3/4 nylon 3 strand rode that has been living at the bottom of the anchor locker for over ten years, and has picked up a severe case of rust staining from the chain that was laying on top of it.(Secondary anchor rode, almost never used).
I inspected it for it's entire length, and find it to be in seemingly good condition, although a bit stiff. I have it soaking in a tub of fresh water with some "Tide" detergent, and I hve the water circulating through the rode. Some of the rust has been washed out of the rode, evidenced by the brown water that is now in the tub. The rode has softened considerably, but still has a lot of staining on it.
Anybody have suggestions of how to get it reasonably clean??

[svHyLyte]

Once you've soaked/washed the rode, discard and refill the tub with fresh water and add a little muriatic acid (from a pool supply store). Ideally a 5% mix but less will work, it will just take a little longer. For individual heavy stains, obtain a little "Wink" Rust Stain Remover from Lowes or Home Depot (in the US)--or mix a 15% pool acid/water solution--and soak the stains, then rinse with fresh water.

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

Once you've soaked/washed the rode, discard and refill the tub with fresh water and add a little muriatic acid (from a pool supply store). Ideally a 5% mix but less will work, it will just take a little longer. For individual heavy stains, obtain a little "Wink" Rust Stain Remover from Lowes or Home Depot (in the US)--or mix a 15% pool acid/water solution--and soak the stains, then rinse with fresh water.

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte

Actually, it takes stronger acid to do nylon real harm, but you ARE courting more trouble than you are solving.

Who CARES if the rode is stained? That is like washing the bottoms of your shoes before going for a walk in public. Relax!

[roberttigar]

Try 'Bar Keepers Friend". Apply to the rusted areas with a sponge or soft brush. Let it sit for 15 min and do it again, if necessary. The active ingredient is oxalic acid, so keep it away from painted surfaces.

This stuff also works great on rust and does a decent job cleaning teak. Its a lot easier on the enviornment, your hands and your vessel than the 2-part cleaners. Bob

[Randy]

I secon the who cares about the rust stain. The stiffness is no big deal either as it softens when it's back in the water.

[captain465]

The rust stains were transfering to the decks.......I didn't want to have to remove rust stains from the deck when I was finished using the rode. I like to keep my boat looking somewhat good. Muriatic acid is sold in plastic bottles isn't it?? If it does no harm to the plastic bottle that it is sold in, I would suspect that it would not harm the more dense molecular structure of nylon.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by captain465

The rust stains were transferring to the decks.......I didn't want to have to remove rust stains from the deck when I was finished using the rode. I like to keep my boat looking somewhat good. Muriatic acid is sold in plastic bottles isn't it?? If it does no harm to the plastic bottle that it is sold in, I would suspect that it would not harm the more dense molecular structure of nylon.

No, the plastic in the bottles is VERY different from nylon.

I actually put some nylon twine in a phosphoric acid rust remover a few hours ago. I will pull test that and a control (in water) in the AM and post the result here. I would rather give facts than opinions. I could not find anything concrete on the web about diluted phosphoric acid and nylon.

http://www.huntingdonfusion.com/down...resistance.pdf

However, you can see that strong acids are very bad.


I would avoid ANY mineral acid (muriatic, hydrochloric-same, sulfuric) as the pH is too hard to control and these ARE proven to degrade nylon. Phosphoric and oxalic acids are generally used to remove rust stains because they safer.

[thinwater]

The parachute manual: a technical ... - Google Book Search

This sounds a bit scary, but it is not really the same thing.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by thinwater

No, the plastic in the bottles is VERY different from nylon.

I actually put some nylon twine in a phosphoric acid rust remover a few hours ago. I will pull test that and a control (in water) in the AM and post the result here. I would rather give facts than opinions. I could not find anything concrete on the web about diluted phosphoric acid and nylon.

http://www.huntingdonfusion.com/down...resistance.pdf

However, you can see that strong acids are very bad.


I would avoid ANY mineral acid (muriatic, hydrochloric-same, sulfuric) as the pH is too hard to control and these ARE proven to degrade nylon. Phosphoric and oxalic acids are generally used to remove rust stains because they safer.

The test I promised, nylon twine such as used in anchor rope.

Soaked in water - 65#, broke at knot in non-soak end.

Soaked in cleaner - 45#, broke in center, away from knot.

Just one test. Take it for what you will.

FYI, Sulfuric acid can be kept in a LDPE or HDPE bottle (like a battery case) but will make a hole in nylon or polyester cloth. I've done both in the lab.

[Bash]

take the rode home, dump it in your washing machine with whatever detergent you normally use, and then let it dry out on the lawn. the stains won't come out 100%, but you'll at least have a rode that won't foul your deck. (until, of course, you once again store it below that rusty chain.)

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by captain465

The rust stains were transfering to the decks.......I didn't want to have to remove rust stains from the deck when I was finished using the rode. I like to keep my boat looking somewhat good. Muriatic acid is sold in plastic bottles isn't it?? If it does no harm to the plastic bottle that it is sold in, I would suspect that it would not harm the more dense molecular structure of nylon.

Easy.

[GMac]

I'd be surprised if all the stain comes out without using chemicals that just aren't nice or at least in a concentration that may damage the rope.

Wash well, wash well again (staying away from hot water) and use it. The rope will still have some stains but they won't be left on the deck.

[Pblais]

take the rode home, dump it in your washing machine with whatever detergent you normally use, and then let it dry out on the lawn.

If t won't come out in the washing machine they won't come out on the deck. I little trip through the washer won't hurt much. Stains sometimes are really stains that don't come out (I could live with that). If you get that close then relax. I would like to wash 200 ft of chain but I don't think it will go in the washing machine. It's small scrub brush and an afternoon.

[captain465]

To all that replied/commented on my question regarding rust stains in a nylon rode.........I found (with a little help from a friend) that a commercial product called "Iron Out". It works as indicated on the bottle. I soaked it overnight versus the 15 mins that they suggested, and then ran it through a commercial washing machine with some more Iron Out and fabric softener. It came out almost pristine and soft as a pelicans neck feathers. I fully endorse this product as a satisfied customer!!!!

[FrankZ]

Just curious what the active ingredients in the product are and what effect they might have on the nylon itself. Pretty and soft is less important that strong.