How do you remove rust from fiberglass?

[A930Rocket]

Title says it all.

Every once in a while, someone leaves a nail or screw in a tub or shower pan that’s holding water. In no time, the screw/nail rusts and leaves a spot.

I’ve tried CLR, baking soda and lemon juice, Bar Keepers Friend, Iron Out, baking soda with all the chemicals combined as a paste, etc. and scrubbing like a mad man. It never works, even letting it sit overnight.

I had a tub repair guy that had a chemical he used in a partially filled tub of water. It always worked but he wouldn’t tell me what it is. Then he wouldn’t be needed. He costs me $125 for each tub.

Anyone have a tried and true method of rust removal on fiberglass?

[Nordwest]

I use rubbing compound on my boat. Turtle wax brand. Works good.

[freeform911]

You can try pH decrease for swimming pool.
Mix it into a paste n apply.
Let sit for a few it should pull the stain out.

Why not just some comet household cleaner..

[drcoastline]

This stuff is magic. Assuming the formula hasn't changed in the past twenty some odd years. But it still stays it will remove rust stains.

EDIT: They also make a rust and stain remover. I have never tried that product only the hull cleaner. Spray it on, before you can pick up the hose to rinse the stain was gone.

[Jim Richards]

I use this stuff, but I don’t typically have much rust rust to remove.

https://www.davisinstruments.com/product/fsr/

[A930Rocket]

Thanks, guys.

The rust in the textured area in the bottom of the tub, so it's tough to scrub out.

I'll try the suggestions and thought of naval jelly as well.

[HardDrive]

Fire. The rust is never an issue after that.

[ben parrish]

I have had good luck with “Awesome” from the dollar store. Used to use it on the sailboat all the time for removing rust stains.

[VincentVega]

Try vinegar first. Pretty mild compared to some options but works well with a scrotchbrite or rag.

[look 171]

My tub Fiberglass repair guy uses rubber compound with a buffer. After he's done on a restore, the damn thing looks brand new.

[A930Rocket]

You mean rubbing compound?

Does it work in the bottom textured area?

Originally Posted by look 171

My tub Fiberglass repair guy uses rubber compound with a buffer. After he's done on a restore, the damn thing looks brand new.

[look 171]

Dang it, my three left thumb typing again. Yes, rubbing compound. Try it with a towel over the rough texture and the rust stain should come off. If not, use a random orbital buffer with a foam pad. I see him use just 5" Mikita polisher and typical 3M rubbing compound. It isn't shiny when done, just the typical hone finish to keep folks from slipping.

[speeder]

Maybe stop leaving rusty nails in bathtubs w standing water? Just a suggestion.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by speeder

Maybe stop leaving rusty nails in bathtubs w standing water? Just a suggestion.

I think Rocket is a contractor and that's maybe why "standing water."

No sense in listening to guesses. Any acid should work. Oxalic for wood bleaches. Krud Kutter (phosphoric acid) is designed for rust. The vinegar suggestion is the closest here to correct, but it's weak by comparison. Baking soda is a waste of time but can be used after the acid. So could toothpaste so you know where I stand on that. A thorough rinsing should however be enough.

[speeder]

I assumed that he was in the trades since he said that it happens repeatedly but that doesn't change my answer. Fire anyone who leaves rusty or pre-rusted nails in a tub. You can only have so much schit-for-brains on a job site before it tips over.

[dar636]

Fiberglass Stain Remover or FSR. Sold through most marine supply stores. It is a paste that you apply and let stand for 5 min or so before washing off. Works well.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by speeder

I assumed that he was in the trades since he said that it happens repeatedly but that doesn't change my answer. Fire anyone who leaves rusty or pre-rusted nails in a tub. You can only have so much schit-for-brains on a job site before it tips over.

Not to hijack the thread, but having been a contractor for 48 years I have seen the deterioration of the building trades over the years. When I first became a general and was building room adds, I was 10-12 years in the biz. I was still young for a general and I used to hire other contractors that were older than me. I learned a hell of a lot from these cats. I used the hood of my truck for an office and wrote checks then and there. They were good men and weren't sloppy.

Nowadays, I'm just an old man to most of those in the trades right up until I walk up and show almost any worker a little secret. I gain some respect a little bit at a time. But would you think that any of these workers would pick up their burrito wrappers? Not a chance and getting all wound up about that just undermines the process. Just like a coach, you have to instill spirit.

Is it acceptable to leave a nail in the tub? Fook no, but siht happens. The one thing I know now is to walk the entire job once a day, even if that means picking up burrito wrappers.

Denis, you have little tolerance, something I know first hand. It won't work if you're trying to coordinate 20 guys. And there is one thing you can't do and that is fire someone else's employees. That's sometimes a problem although just last January I ran a plumber, working for a company, off the job. And it cost me personally some money but it was worth every cent. But if I 'fired' everyone of the jokers that wasn't up to high standards every minute of every day, I would never get a completed job. Actually, I'd get sabotaged.

I heard the plumber got fired not long after that which validated my action. But I didn't get my money back.

Back to the thread, standing water or not, a tub protector should always be in place. Especially for fiberglass. And in my experience, standing water is only needed for one day at the most. In fact, I don't see the need for it at all. The DWV system is checked for leaks way before a tub or shower pan is installed. But if the trap for a tub needs to be checked, then that's how it's done. Might be a good idea before covering up the ceiling below. My inspectors don't require that, though.

[A930Rocket]

Zeke has it right. It’s an uphill battle every day working with some trades. Some just don’t care where they leave their work debris or trash. It gets them a hefty backcharge, which they b*tch about. Tough luck

After framing, the plumber is the first trade in the house. He installs all of his supply, drain lines and tubs/pans are filled up and/or pressurized. HVAC and the electrician follow. This can take 4/5 days. Once all the MEP’s are done, the framing and MEP’s are inspected by one county inspector.

Then I can let the water pressure off the lines. The tubs have a plug in them and I’m not reaching in their bare handed to remove it. It make a nice toilet for some lazy azz people. Thus it a nail or screw can rust quickly before the plumber drains it.

It’s not every house, but it happens frequently.

I’m no chemist, but does the baking soda neutralize the acidic chemicals? I was using it to make a paste to keep the chemicals on the stain.

Edit : My tub repair guy would fix anything (rust, scratches, etc) in the house for $125, unless it was a major repair. Then he charged more.

[speeder]

You are right, I have little tolerance and expect a lot from everyone. I'm not a good manager, it's a skill I lack and wish it were different but I can't change my stripes. I've written here before about guys w that gift and it allows them to build very profitable companies. It's why I'm a sole practitioner most of the time, something I share w my late dad.

You need to be willing to really open your checkbook to hire the best people and then keep them happy, which requires more than $$. I know lots of people who hate their jobs and the people they answer to but they suck it up for the $$. Not a good recipe for a successful business.

I also blame myself for the fk-ups of any of my workers. It's my fault for either hiring the wrong people, not training them properly or failing to create an environment where they care if they please me. To have a work force that turns out first class results and likes their boss is an amazing thing, I've rarely seen it but it exists.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Not to hijack the thread, but having been a contractor for 48 years I have seen the deterioration of the building trades over the years. When I first became a general and was building room adds, I was 10-12 years in the biz. I was still young for a general and I used to hire other contractors that were older than me. I learned a hell of a lot from these cats. I used the hood of my truck for an office and wrote checks then and there. They were good men and weren't sloppy.

Nowadays, I'm just an old man to most of those in the trades right up until I walk up and show almost any worker a little secret. I gain some respect a little bit at a time. But would you think that any of these workers would pick up their burrito wrappers? Not a chance and getting all wound up about that just undermines the process. Just like a coach, you have to instill spirit.

Is it acceptable to leave a nail in the tub? Fook no, but siht happens. The one thing I know now is to walk the entire job once a day, even if that means picking up burrito wrappers.

Denis, you have little tolerance, something I know first hand. It won't work if you're trying to coordinate 20 guys. And there is one thing you can't do and that is fire someone else's employees. That's sometimes a problem although just last January I ran a plumber, working for a company, off the job. And it cost me personally some money but it was worth every cent. But if I 'fired' everyone of the jokers that wasn't up to high standards every minute of every day, I would never get a completed job. Actually, I'd get sabotaged.

I heard the plumber got fired not long after that which validated my action. But I didn't get my money back.

Back to the thread, standing water or not, a tub protector should always be in place. Especially for fiberglass. And in my experience, standing water is only needed for one day at the most. In fact, I don't see the need for it at all. The DWV system is checked for leaks way before a tub or shower pan is installed. But if the trap for a tub needs to be checked, then that's how it's done. Might be a good idea before covering up the ceiling below. My inspectors don't require that, though.

Sound like you have been around in the "Good old days". I still look up to those older guy who did things correctly and respected people's properties and personal items.

I am 52 now and have been in this mess since I was about 19. I wanted to do this more then anything else then beside being a pro cyclist but they didn't exist in the US back then, so off I go with my trusty table saw, make some money to pay for college. Got my lic in my mid 20s except I use the tail gate instead of the hood. I tell clients up front, we are not the fastest but you will get excellent service, and true custom work. If they like to wait, great, if not, next. I run a very small crew, mainly for doing finish work and some misc stuff. Anything else bigger, I hire out but I use the same guys all the time, so we get to know their employees. Oh, those fooking food wrappers and drinks. I no longer pick them up. One of my guy does and he cracks the whip. Nothing says irresponsible more then leaving food all over the place. We make sure the place is cleaned, owner living in the house or not. Its more of a dog and phony show then anything else. I don't like the big crew or plumbing companies or electrical companies that send guys out that we don't know. There's always personal conflicts with the typical trades guys. thanks goodness my subs are good and keep their mess to a somewhat manageable mess. If I tell you I have no nails in the tub, I am lying to ya, but it rarely happens now. Some of the plastic tubs we put in to these homes are running between 3-5 thousand bucks. There better not be anything on them. It takes a lot of btiching on my parts to get them trained. My three guys have been working for me for a long time. Its between 15 -17 years, so they are trained from a young age.

Hey A930Rocket, We use a paint on tub protector. Its a tough thick latex coating. It peels off when you are finish. I do it only because I can't scratch a 4000 dollars tub. No amount of card boards, drop in tub protector is going to keep crap off the tile man's dirty shoe. I will try and get you the name if you like.