Cleaning aluminium stains from sails?

[NickC]

Our Genoa has black stains on it from the aluminum roller where it was left up all winter with rainwater combined with some heavy winds.

Has anyone got a suggestion what the sail can be cleaned with to remove these black stains?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Nicholas123]

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?359312-Stains-on-sails&highlight=

I hav'nt found anything that worked.

PS:Maybe the Oxalic Acid?

 

[NickC]

Nicholas,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I won't waste time trying the same things as you did then, will go straight to Oxalic acid and see how we get on with that then. Still need to establish where to get it from and what strength

 

[VicS]

Nicholas,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I won't waste time trying the same things as you did then, will go straight to Oxalic acid and see how we get on with that then. Still need to establish where to get it from and what strength

I dont think it will work but you'll get it most cheaply from ebay suppliers or perhaps in smaller, more sensible, quantities from a wood-workers suppliers such as AG Woodcare.

Try a near saturated solution. ( see AG Woodcare's website for info on making solutions)

Remember its pretty toxic so label and store any solution properly.

It is also harmful by absorption through the skin so wear gloves and wash off any splashes promptly.

Even if it does not get the marks due to aluminium off you will have some for removing rust stains and brown waterline stains .

 

[NickC]

Oxalic acid works!!!

Just done a small section of my mainsail, so far only one side and only from the head down to the second batten.

Results are great. It took me about an hour of rubbing on with a sponge and working into the worst bits with a paint brush. When finally washed off it has got rid of at least 80% of the rust and aluminium stains so more than happy with the results just got all the rest to do now.

Nick

 

[Nicholas123]

Oxalic acid works!!!

Just done a small section of my mainsail, so far only one side and only from the head down to the second batten.

Results are great. It took me about an hour of rubbing on with a sponge and working into the worst bits with a paint brush. When finally washed off it has got rid of at least 80% of the rust and aluminium stains so more than happy with the results just got all the rest to do now.

Nick

In your original post you mentioned the Genoa.Have you done that & were they really deep seated black stains?
Regards Nicholas.

 

[NickC]

In your original post you mentioned the Genoa.Have you done that & were they really deep seated black stains?
Regards Nicholas.

No Don't think I will be able to do the Genoa until the end of the season now. Have just noticed a small problem this morning with this method of cleaning, the concrete driveway I did this on now has large patches of white were the oxalic acid has bleached the grey colour out of it.