Rust in/on the gelcoat

[Lrider]

Won't have a chance to remove the cleat and see what caused the rust (only one out of 6 on the boat.

Is it possible to remove the rust stain?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

Where fiberglass is concerned, most anything that has oxalic acid as the active ingredient, will remove rust and stains. I use a rust remover I buy at Home Depot.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

Thanks

I ran over to the boat and sprayed some rust stuff I have on the stain and it went about 2 shades lighter. The boat is still at the shop waiting to have the engine tested before I buy. I hate holidays when they keep me from getting what I want

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

I used some rust stain remover I got from West Marine. It's probably the same type of stuff the others here are talking about at 4 times the cost. But it worked very well and most of the stains just wiped right off.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

Interesting we also have a West Marine here in the West - never thought it might me in the East too, wonder why they don't call it East Marine

I thank you all for the help it really works

 

[Lrider]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

An even dumber question

The cleats are screwed to the gunwale, the gunwale is enclosed

I would think that the mfg installed a permanent backing plate for the screws

I would like to remove the cleats to get at what is causing the rust

However I have fear in the back of my mind that as soon as the screw is removed I am going to hear the nut fall down into the bilge

 

[dan4081]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

In case you still havent tackled the rust yet I recently scrubbed all the rust off my boat, some of it from the cleats also.
I used Barkeepers friend that I picked up at Wal Mart, but they sell it at grocery stores and Lowes also. It was about $2 a can.
Its a powder kind of like comet. I found that if I wet the area, sprinkle some on, let sit for a minute, then use a medium stiffness brush it comes right off.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

In response to the backing plate - it "should" be fiberglassed in. Now should and actual may differ. It may be loose, or there may not even be one and it is just screwed into the glass - but if done right, the plate would be glassed into the backside. That's how I did it when building my boat. Again, my perception may not reflect reality (it rarely does!)

 

[spankers]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

Threads in Forum : Boat Topics and Questions (not engine topics), Forum Tools .... (not engine topics), Trailers and Towing, Prop Questions and Topics ...

 

[capt sam]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

In case you still havent tackled the rust yet I recently scrubbed all the rust off my boat, some of it from the cleats also.
I used Barkeepers friend that I picked up at Wal Mart, but they sell it at grocery stores and Lowes also. It was about $2 a can.
Its a powder kind of like comet. I found that if I wet the area, sprinkle some on, let sit for a minute, then use a medium stiffness brush it comes right off.

Barkeeper's is a great product.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Rust in/on the gelcoat

Just got a note from Sailfish

You will probably have to install an inspection plate to reach underneath and through bolt. I do not believe there was a backing plate other than fender washers.

That is annoying

Oh well they can stay til they fall off then I will fix em