Got Rust stains on Vinyl?

[Mark42]

The boat I just bought had big, dark rust stains on the cuddy vinyl berth from a steel spool of line the previous owner left in the cuddy wet. After the usual cleaning methods like soap, windex, etc, I tried something stronger. Picked up some CLR bathroom cleaner (Calcium, Lime, Rust remover). It is a mild acid in liquid form. I poured it on and spread around with a rag. After sitting about 20-30 seconds, I scrubbed with a scrub brush and my thumb nail on some tough spots, then rinsed with the hose. The crusty parts came off, and most of the orange color was faded. Two more applications reduced it to a little more than a shadow. After drying for two hours, it faded even more. Not completely gone, but 100% better than what I started with.

I guess I could be more agressive, but I wasn't sure what it would do to the vinyl. Label said it was safe for fiberglass showers, so I figured I would give it a try. I did try it out on a piece of vinyl on the underside first to see if it would just melt it. After two minutes, and it washed clean, I went ahead and put it on the top side stains.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Got Rust stains on Vinyl?

Mark, try to find a product called 'whink'. It is much better at removing rust than CLR. I've found CLR to be quite anemic. It may be that whink is just a stronger acid than CLR. It still won't hurt the vinyl either. The acid just drives the iron oxide back into a clear solution (like clearwater iron in a well) and rinses away. It's good stuff to have around anyway.

Anything, however, that has porosity like vinyl will take longer for the acid to soak into the creavices and do it's job.

http://www.whink.com/

 

[Mark42]

Re: Got Rust stains on Vinyl?

Thanks Boom! I'll keep an eye out for that stuff.