Rust remover

M

Mike McManus

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A past owner stored a anchor in the fishbox on my new boat. What would be easiest to remove
the rust.
eec85d0c.jpg
 
Its a fiberglass fishbox? Try a softscrub type cleaner with bleach and a Mr. clean magic eraser.
 
I would use some 'Wink' rust remover. It is made to take rust stains off of toliets. I purchase at a Tru-valve hardware. Powerful stuff, so gloves, and working in a box like that be careful of any fumes. I would wet a cloth, and spray a small amount on area and rub,,it should come right off, then rinse.
 
I have that some rust in my livewell, as well as under some cleats. Though under the cleats its not that much but an eye sore for those who look at the cleats. Ive tried soft scrub and it doesnt work. The guy at west marine sold me FSR? That was a complete bust...
 
Try soaking the area with undiluted CLR. A good scrubbing with a stiff brush, then rinse thoroughly and let it dry.
 
An acidic bleaching is what you need, though stains that deep, I don't know.

FSR is a great product, but is essentially just oxalyic acid in a gel base. I would recommend just buying straight oxalyic acid and disolving in very hot water. You can only get so much to dissolve so read the label. Then I'd fill up that area and place the lid on (it won't work as well when it dries out) and leave it set. It will need to work for some time.

I might alternate with a magic eraser scrub and then back at it. I don't normally use bleach on fiberglass as its not good for the material, but in this case the material is already in bad shape.

Honestly it might be easier to just spray it with new gel coat.
 
Try all the above and then if not sucessfull try an epoxy bilge paint by Interlux or Pettit.
 
Barkeepers friend. It,s like comet but has acid base. Works wonders and cheap.
 
Barkeepers friend. It,s like comet but has acid base. Works wonders and cheap.
 
Barkeepers friend. It,s like comet but has acid base. Works wonders and cheap.
 
Barkeepers friend. It,s like comet but has acid base. Works wonders and cheap.
 
The common theme here is acid. Muriatic, often sold as pool acid, well diluted would be my choice. Be careful.
 
I had a removable compartment under the front of the center console seat that had the rust. I didnt mind if I ruined it because I never used it nor planned on using it. So let bleach sit in there and it actually lightened the rust stain, didnt remove it fully but it cleaned up. I dont know if it weakened the fiberglass or not, but I am not about to try that in the anchor locker up in the bow...
 
This seems a project with which you may take your time. I would begin with the "softer" products; working up to the stronger as needed. I think clorox will take off most of the stain , but the rust is another problem. The final solution is muriatic acid. Please do not let that be the final solution for your hands and lungs.
I have no doubt that it will take it off. Do not want to preach, but as stated above, be very careful of acid and fumes (you are in a hole at that point).
Do not mix it with anything.
 
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