Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion How do I remove rust stains?

I am sorry if this is a repeat question. I done a search and could find nothing on it for sure. I have a few porcelain signs that have the bleed down streaks from rust spots above them. How do I remove these streaks?

Also the same question for a painted sign?

Try: "bar keepers friend"

I've never heard of "Bar Keepers Friend" checked the internet and found them on the web. It's available in powder and liquid form. Which works better?

Powder works the best for me. I mix BKF with Gel Gloss a porcelain polish for a concoction the works wonders and leaves a great shine when you are done.

I will go to Home Depot today and get some of that stuff.



Where do you get Gel Gloss at? Is it this stuff?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q...d=0CKUBEPMCMAE#

One thing I find handy is a Papermate Union eraser. Grey on one end - white on the other, for pen and pencil. Good for small areas - bigger areas you can work at a little at a time. On porcelain neither end is rough enough to harm the finish, on paint be careful you don't go to deep and lose color. Always start with the pencil end to see how it goes.

I'VE TRIED BAR KEEPERS FRIEND, BUT I GET BETTER RESULTS WITH:

SOFT SCRUB WITH BLEACH:

Bar Keepers friend can damage the gloss if used too aggressively. The very best thing for rust is Muriatic acid, but it too must be used with caution! Its caustic to the skin and the vapors will about knock you over BUT-- It removes the rust instantly and leaves a nice shiny finish!
You simply need a bucket of water with a sponge to wipe it down after application and to rinse the acid off.
Heres a couple of pictures on a porcelain panel with the muratic acid being applied and the finished product, moments later!
If you have any questions, just give me a call!
KEVIN 701-739-6133

Thanks Kevin! it was good talking to you and I will post some pics when I get one done.

I have used bar keeper's friend and if you are too aggressive it willscratch as m entioned above. My wife started bying theliguid and she says it is good, not as abbrasive. No matter what you use, be careful and take your time.

I will get some of that also and try it, yeah I dont want to ruin it.




Well I did as you said, but I dont know if I was doing something wrong it did not just wipe off I had to scrub it on 3 different applications to get it off. It did come off though and I am very impressed with the results! Did you let it soak on it for a while before wiping it?

Ok just to update this I figured it out. I actually covered a big area this time and let it soak on the sign for 5 minutes, wiped it down and waited another 5 minutes wiped it again and then wiped it down with water to neutralize it and OMG!!

Even where the haze was on the sign where it is always evident on the porcelain signs. It even took that off! This sign shines like day one new!

Kevin I cannot thank you enough for this tip on cleaning these signs. I just wish I had not sold some of my other signs now I would have just cleaned them. Live and Learn.

Don't be afraid to leave it on for short periods of times with multiple applications. Better too short than to leave it on too long and have it disolve....

Where did you pick up the acid?

You can generally get muriatic acid at the local hardware store, or, if they don't stock it, try a bigger place like Lowe's or Menard's.

I got mine at HOME DEPOT

Muiratic Acid is available at most hardware stores and even at some Walmart stores. Normally it is used on cement/driveway/brick as a cleaning agent and can be bought in 1gal sizes for $7-$12.

What you are buying is a dilluted form of Hydrocloric Acid. It will eat away rust quickly, heavy paint over a few hours, and any metal given enough time. DO NOT use it on Aluminum as it will dissolve it away in short order.

MSDS fact: http://complyplus.grainger.com/grainger/msds.asp?sheetid=3760004

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
FLAMMABLE HYDROGEN GAS CAN BE PRODUCED BY REACTION WITH MOST METALS AND MAY FORM EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES WITH AIR. CHLORINE GAS WILL BE RELEASED BY MIXING WITH STRONG OXIDIZERS.

Use generous amount of water to rinse.

Be aware that if you do use Muiratic acid for cleaning you need to apply a protective coating to the bare metal because it will rust back.

What can you put on it to protect it?

Muritic Acid sold at hardware stores is also what they use in Pools/Hot Tubs. Neutralize w/ Baking Soda mixed w/ water, then plenty of clean water rinse.
A Good coat of wax will protect/seal from further rusting.
IF your displaying OUTSIDE, I'd clear coat/touchup the worst places before giving it a wax coating.

Ok thanks Dick for the advice.

I stored an old jug of muratic acid "out of site" on my concrete floor. When I went back to use it, some had seeped out, which resulted in the acid eating away at my concrete. I don't leave any of it on concrete any longer. Brady

Store Muraitic Acid in a plastic container with a plastic lid, DO NOT use any metal storage or lid as they will eventually corrode.