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So the guy tells me that the sign was hung on a fence and the rusty fence stained the sign.
Anyone have any experience with cleaning such a thing?
What is the possible prognosis for such a situation?
Here's a pic of a portion of it.

$_57.JPG

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I wash to get all the crud possible off and spray the "clean" surface with muriatic acid, leaving it on several minutes. It is not going to hurt the porcelain. I then scrub good with Barkeepers Friend, sometimes with the acid still on the sign if it needs it. Always use gloves and do not breathe the fumes from the acid-not even a little bit.

075.JPG 018.JPG

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That looks amazing Dave!!!, but did you lose the gloss on the porcelain with the barkeepers friend? I ruined a sign one time with it and I'm very hesitant to use it again.
When you applied the muriatic acid, did you put it on a dry sign or did the sign have water on it from washing it?


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I wet the sign first and I let it sit on the rust stain and then scrub the stain off with a brush.


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Wow Dave that came out nice! I look at the "S" in Service and there was some pretty good staining on that and it's gone.
Hmm.... Has me thinking there may be hope for this sign.

So is it your opinion that rust that is sitting on top of the porcelain in the way of a stain, it will come off like that every time??


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Has worked for me each and every time. Here's one I cleaned a few days ago. The T was heavily stained, took a few applications.

The after picture has no wax or polish on it.

rsz_156.jpg ubbthreads.jpg

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Here is a trick iv learned with cars. I would try on a test part to make sure first. But I see no problem with it
go to walmart and but you a tote with lid for few bucks(big enuff for your parts)
Buy few gallons of white vinagar
lay rusted part in tote and pour in your vinagar till it covers the rusted part. Now here is the hard part. You do nothen but wait. I let soak for bout a week. It will only atack the rust
Pull out rinse with water and quickly dry or will flash rust
No scrubbing involved


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The cost of the small amount muriatic acid needed is a lot less then the cost of buying a plastic tub large enough to fit a large porcelain sign and then buying enough white vinegar to submerge the sign. Not to mention that the results are instantaneous with the acid versus having to wait a week.


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Dave your examples give me hope for this sign I'm looking at. I may buy it.


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You dont have to have the compleat sign covered just to have the spot with rust covered
gallon of vinagar is 1.40


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Originally Posted By: Steve C.
So is it your opinion that rust that is sitting on top of the porcelain in the way of a stain, it will come off like that every time??


...every time? I would say 'no'...you rolls your dice and you takes your chances...


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what Mark said. Each sign and each time will be different. Sometimes it will clean up great, other times it will clean up but leave a rust like shadow, other times it will clean up but completely remove all gloss.

One thing that is consistent is that most of the time it is an improvement... and it will require some work. Nothing will magically melt the rust away, some elbow grease and time will have to be put into it.


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I have used muriatic acid many times, and I never wet the sign first. Apply it right to the dry finish and let sit for a few minutes and then rub with something soft. I usually use a rolled up paper towel.
Heres 3 pictures of my porcelain 36B door.
First picture is the before picture.
Picture 2 is during cleanup.
Picture 3 is the finished product!
Need I say more?

36B Door with stains.JPG 36B Door partial clean.JPG 36B Door finished cleaning.JPG

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Steve, all I can do is relate my experience. I must be getting lucky as I have cleaned over fifty signs, all with excellent quick results. I bought the good highest strength acid I could buy. Check the labels as it comes in various diluted grades. It literally dissolves and lifts the rust away, all I use is a plastic bristle brush to scrub the acid into the rust stain. That Chevron sign took me no longer than 15 minutes to clean.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy that sign, if it's rust it will clean up.

rsz_miracle_feeds__ssp-1.jpg rsz_miracle_feeds__ssp-2.jpg

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Thanks all!! The before and afters are incredible. And I love the in-process pic from Kevin.


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