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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Removing Rust Stains From Gelcoat

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/08/2002 : 14:37:29

I had been after rust stains which streaked the rudder on my C25 for a number of seasons. I had been able to lighten them but not eliminate them and so, I had resigned myself to not being able to remove them.
Until this season. The answer, as I have now discovered is: Oxalic Acid. I bought a 12oz container of oxalic acid crystals at my local hardware store for $6.00. DAP labels "Wood Bleach" but,don't let the name put you off. I mixed it with hot water according to the directions and applied it with a brush. This bleached out about 75% of the staining. For the remainder, I placed terry cloth rags over the stains and saturated the rag with the oxalic acid solution. Presto! after an hour or so- no more rust stains.
I had taken off the pintles (the culprit responible for the rust stains)and the fasteners in preparation for this job and I dropped them into the bucket of oxalic acid solution. This dissolved the rust
completely.
After sanding the inside of the pintles as well as the gelcoat under the pintles to provide some "tooth" for the bedding, I applied 3M's 4200 sealent/adhesive to both surfaces and refastened the pintles. Looks good. We'll see how it holds up.

Sailynn

Edited by - on

LOREN SOUERS
Navigator

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USA
100 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2002 : 14:52:28

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I had been after rust stains which streaked the rudder on my C25 for a number of seasons. I had been able to lighten them but not eliminate them and so, I had resigned myself to not being able to remove them.
Until this season. The answer, as I have now discovered is: Oxalic Acid. I bought a 12oz container of oxalic acid crystals at my local hardware store for $6.00. DAP labels "Wood Bleach" but,don't let the name put you off. I mixed it with hot water according to the directions and applied it with a brush. This bleached out about 75% of the staining. For the remainder, I placed terry cloth rags over the stains and saturated the rag with the oxalic acid solution. Presto! after an hour or so- no more rust stains.
I had taken off the pintles (the culprit responible for the rust stains)and the fasteners in preparation for this job and I dropped them into the bucket of oxalic acid solution. This dissolved the rust
completely.
After sanding the inside of the pintles as well as the gelcoat under the pintles to provide some "tooth" for the bedding, I applied 3M's 4200 sealent/adhesive to both surfaces and refastened the pintles. Looks good. We'll see how it holds up.

Sailynn
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Sailynn,
The answer is "On and Off." I have used this stuff several times with various stains and it is great. It is best on rust stains, but will work of some others. It contains oxalic acid, as you used, but my recollection is it is a mix of two acids. Anyway the stuff is great for your problem, but if you get it on your hands, get it right off. I have a bucket of cool water ready when I use it.

Fair winds.
Loren Souers,
Nimue,
The Lady of the Lake

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2002 : 16:37:47

Just a side note, Oxacylic acid is also the active ingredient in most teak cleaners. So if anyone else has the stuff laying around, you don't have to buy any new products

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 national Org.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Greg Jackson
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2002 : 19:23:56

Teak cleaner is the best thing if you want to put heavy grooves in your teak. It is very agressive at removing soft wood.

Much better is either 409 kitchen cleaner or Fantastic. Both of those will do about as well as Teak Cleaner (Oxalic Acid) without removing the grain.

GTJ

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