rust marks on in gel coat from grinding steel manifolds

[snapperman]

what is a practical way for removing rust stains left from grinding filings in Gel coat (fibreglass)This is a stain not damage from hot grindings.Any ideas would be great!!Regards Snapperman

[Tinkerer]

snapperbaitBeen there, done that.Rub back with 800 wet and dry lubricated with water from a sponge in a bucket with a bit of soap or detergent to make it slipperier. Keep it very wet all the time. Finish with 1200 wet and dry and then auto cut and polish.

[jim dozier]

Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid). Purchase it from a hardware store like Home Depot. Its used for cleaning pool decks. Buy some dishwashing gloves and goggles and a sponge. (You should have goggles anyway). Make a 50% solution with cool water. Sponge it on. It will remove the rust stains from your work and won't hurt the fiblerglass. Hose it off after a few minutes. Try to keep it off everything else.If you are in an area where you don't want drips, Vanish toilet bowl cleaner will do. It has hydrochloric acid as an active ingredient with a thickener and won't drip as much.

[Tinkerer]

jimd's post reminds me there is a laundry product called Rustiban which is great at removing rust marks from clothing. Don't know how it goes on gelcoat.

[delta247]

I had good results with "Tilex mildew remover"! Use the regular percautions. It wont hurt gelcoat, but dont get it on painted surfaces.

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I use steel wool to polish badly faded area of my gel coat. If I don't get all the small particales of the steel wool they too rust. I have had good results of using CLR. It won't disappear right away, but usually over night. I take a paper towel and wet it down and let it set on the rust stained area. No sanding or rubbing involved.Don't be disappointed when you first put it on. Let it sit with the paper towel on it and the next day it will be gone. At least it works for me. It is a lot safer than some of the acids that will do it. Just a thought.....SS

[snapperman]

Thanks everyone the boat is now back to normal, a lot of elbow work and using a bit of everyones ideasThanks Snapperman

[Richard Petersen]

Can all of this go in the Q & A section ?