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Remove rust without damaging gel coat

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by John Sakovits, Sep 20, 2016.

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  1. John Sakovits, Sep 20, 2016
    #1
    John Sakovits

    John Sakovits Member

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    I know there are a number of products that remove rust stains but from what I understand most will etch the gel coat. Is there a product that will remove rust stains but will not etch or harm gel coat ?

    Thanks
  2. RT46, Sep 20, 2016
    #2
    RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    Wink
  3. Capt J, Sep 21, 2016
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yup Whink. It's in a brown bottle and can be found in some grocery stores by the laundry stain stuff. Pour a little on, watch the rust disappear, and rinse it off
  4. John Sakovits, Sep 21, 2016
    #4
    John Sakovits

    John Sakovits Member

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    Thanks for the quick feedback. So Whink makes a lot of products. Which one is it ?
    Thanks again!
  5. YachtForums, Sep 21, 2016
    #5
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Probably the one labelled 'rust remover'. :rolleyes:

    Whink is good. Bar Keeper's Friend will also work.
  6. John Sakovits, Sep 21, 2016
    #6
    John Sakovits

    John Sakovits Member

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    It looks like this is a acid based product. Safe to assume that folks have not seen any deterioration or porosity in the gel coat after using Whink ?

    Appreciate the feedback.
  7. Capt J, Sep 21, 2016
    #7
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    No damage to gel coat or paint with using whink that I have seen. I've been using whink for over a decade. The brown bottle labeled "rust stain remover".
  8. John Sakovits, Sep 21, 2016
    #8
    John Sakovits

    John Sakovits Member

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    Any issues with Whink rust stain remover and vinyl striping ? Just trying to be safe instead of sorry.
  9. Capt J, Sep 21, 2016
    #9
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    No, it's made for removing rust stains on clothes (laundry) so it's not that harsh.
  10. g collis, Sep 25, 2016
    #10
    g collis

    g collis Member

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    I've had good luck with On Off. Just don't breath the mist.
  11. maldwin, Sep 25, 2016
    #11
    maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    I have just had to paint my 2008 Nordhavn hull due to someone using Wink on the rubrail. It ruined the gel coat below. I assume the deckhand, who should have been using Fritz for that project, was not rinsing enough. Still, i will never use Wink again near my Gelcoat.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  12. Fishtigua, Sep 25, 2016
    #12
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Like any acid based cleaner, don't leave it on for too long and rinse well. Gels, like Y10, linger and will discolour gelcoat over time.

    I use Corrosion X Rust Remover.
  13. praetorian47, Oct 4, 2016
    #13
    praetorian47

    praetorian47 Senior Member

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    I use a product from sea-shield called rust stain remover. It will strip wax, but does not damage the gelcoat. I have a through hull the leaves a rust stain all the time, so I clean it off a few times a year with this. Just spray on, let it sit a few minute and rinse. Works well for me, better than anything else I've used and no adverse affects I've been able to see.