Rust marks...

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Bootscooter
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Rust marks...

Post by Bootscooter »

Hi all,
It looks like I'm shortly to buy an older GRP boat that could do with a little love. Where fittings have been attached to the hull (block eyes, self bailers etc) there's nasty rust marking... I'll try and attach a picture to show.

Image
Image

I'm assuming that I should replace all the fixings with stainless versions, but how can I get rid of the staining? Is there a way, or do I just slap on some white International?

Thanks in advance :D
JimC
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Re: Rust marks...

Post by JimC »

Stainless isn't utterly corrosion proof if you leave a boat wet and salty enough. I'm not sure that all, maybe any of those are not stainless. It's usually painfully obvious if there's mild steel fastenings. T cut and wire wool may well help with surface staining.
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neil
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Re: Rust marks...

Post by neil »

once you get the fittings off have a go a the gel coat with a Magic Sponge. I've found them invaluable in recent months for cars, covers, boats and boards. I had to buy 100 off eBay after being caught 'borrowing' them from the kitchen
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Ian Malcolm
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Re: Rust marks...

Post by Ian Malcolm »

Any Oxalic acid based gelcoat cleaner will get the rust off both the stainless and the GRP. Its best to go for the gel type rather than powder as you don't want any abrasives. Heavy rust stains will require repeated applications. Use any good brand of metal polish on the stainless and GRP polish on the gelcoat after you've got the rust off.
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Michael Brigg
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Re: Rust marks...

Post by Michael Brigg »

Agree with above. Stain devils (rust remover) is Oxalic acid & did a good job on my sails. You do need to leave it on for a while though, and maybe a few applications.
Michael Brigg
Bootscooter
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Re: Rust marks...

Post by Bootscooter »

Great stuff - thanks everyone :D
chris
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Re: Rust marks...

Post by chris »

I tried the rust stain devil on cotton sails and it ruined them so I had to stitch a patch in !
Michael Brigg
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Re: Rust marks...

Post by Michael Brigg »

chris wrote:I tried the rust stain devil on cotton sails and it ruined them so I had to stitch a patch in !
Ah yes. The operative word there Chris is Cotton! :o :oops: :cry:

(Mine were terylene...and already well shot enough to need a "death or Glory" solution.)
The're not dead yet, but I'm not sure the're glorious either!
Michael Brigg
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