Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Unfortunately, I had to put fans in the boat a few weeks ago because it had to be put up wet. One of the fans had rust on the legs and now I have rust stains even after using the pressure washer on them. I haven't tried any products yet since I thought the pressure washer would work (I didn't get aggressive with it, fearing I would damage it or maybe penetrate the wood below too much). Anybody have this problem and know how to treat it? I just looked up some methids for home carpet, but since I can get this plenty wet, I wondered if there were different methods?

Having never experienced this issue, I would probably start with products that are designed to remove rust and scale deposits (bathroom tub and tile cleaners) test it in a small inconspicuous spot first for color fastness and it it doesn't discolor, try it on a small part of the rust stains.

Of course you might want to wait a while to see if anybody has a solution that has been attempted and is known to work first.
-ron

I used to run a steel yacht. Rust stains would run down the hull and onto the carpet. We would get rid of them with Sno Bowl toilet cleaner. The stain goes away quickly. You put it on the stain, and wash it away. Sno Bowl is acidic, so you don't want to leave it on there too long.

Home Depot or Lowe's or most hardwares sell Rust Out and a couple of other products designed to remove rust.
I would try anything that you use on a very small spot first to see what happens.

We used to have a water well with extremely hard water, I used to soak my uniform shirts in a 5 gal. bucket of diluted Sno Bowl and it worked really well at getting the rust out. I would try a diluted sulution of SNowbowl and water first and if needed you can increase the strength. I hope it works out.

I've always had good luck with Iron Out (it's used for water well systems, etc). You can get it at Wal-Mart.

Thanks. Don't know if we can get Sno bowl here in the south. Darn it all, I just came from Wal mart and could have gotten the iron or rust out. Thanks and keep the suggestions coming.

Rocky and I are both in Louisiana, so I bet you will find it. I usually get it at the grocery store with the other toilet stuff.

Well, I used what i had gathered up before I saw your replies, based on a google search. Lemon juice didn't look to do much of anything, so I tried vinegar with salt, which seemed to help but not fully. So, I went to cream of tartar and that seemed to do the trick. I can't tell for sure, since dark caught me, but I think so. If not, I'll look forr some snobowl. Thanks everybody.

Snow Cap is another product you Cana use.