Cleaning stainless steel

[coveman]

A few of the stainless steel fittings on the boat have some rusty type deposits forming. Any ideas on the best product to get them gleaming again?

I've tried a mix of baking powder and lemon juice ( as recommended via a google search) which has been partially successful.

 

[mrangry]

I just give a rub with scotchbrite

 

[johnalison]

There is quite a lot of s/s on my boat and I have given up trying to polish most of it. There is a s/s pole holding up the radar scanner which is presumably a lower grade and gets rust stains. I just use a standard metal polish, which I think is 3Ms.

 

[Daverw]

Brasso

 

[MoodySabre]

Super Stainless is excellent but needs a temp of 20c plus. Brush it on, leave, hose off. All shiny bright. Super Stainless Steel Cleaner, 500ml at Nauticalia - Shop Online.

 

[Vegable]

Tooth Paste! If bad make up a paste of tooth paste, white vinegar and either salt or baking powder. Use as a normal polish/brasso etc. Very cheap!
Mike

 

[vyv_cox]

Cream Cleaner is excellent for our stanchions, pushpit and pulpit.

 

[pvb]

Yes, as Vyv said, cream cleaner works well. I use cheap own-brand stuff, applied with a soft sponge and rinsed well.

 

[Neeves]

For rust marks use and try Oxalic, Phosphoric or Citric acid, wear gloves, as a damp cloth. I'm not sure where you source Phosphoric acid (except I recall it is used in Coca Cola), but you can source Citric from health food stores (there must be somewhere cheaper) and Oxalic from your local hardware store - it is used to clean wood.

Don't use hydrochloric or sulphuring acid as with regular use you will damage the stainless steel

Toothpaste and brasso contain mild abrasives, chalk, limestone or something similar - and removal of staining is by your effort. Oxalic should actually dissolve the oxides forming the stain. For hard to get at places an old toothbrush or paint brush will work well. Don't leave a film of acid for long it may drip onto something and compound your problems.

Jonathan

 

[ianat182]

Lemon Juice will work even when slightly diluted with fresh water. Leave for 15 minutes or so , then rinse and wipe away

We use regularly at home on our stainless steaming utensils which are like new after several years with stains and burning dry sometimes. Small bottles of lemon juice from the supermarket last for ages and no scratching of the surfaces.

ianat182

 

[coveman]

Thanks for the replies - I'll start with the cheap remedies and go from there!

 

[Momac]

Bar Keepers friend power cream

 

[coveman]

I did try Y10 but it didn't have much effect - although excellent for removing stains on the GRP. Just tried some "Cif" cream ( as that is what was in the kitchen cupboard ! )- seemed to work pretty well...... and probably the other remedies mentioned work too - thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Clancy Moped]

Super Stainless is excellent but needs a temp of 20c plus. Brush it on, leave, hose off. All shiny bright. Super Stainless Steel Cleaner, 500ml at Nauticalia - Shop Online.

That stuff works a treat!

 

[pvb]

That stuff works a treat!

Super Stainless is basically diluted phosphoric acid, very good for cleaning stainless steel but can damage it by etching if the steel has impurities. Always rinse very well!

 

[Clancy Moped]

Super Stainless is basically diluted phosphoric acid, very good for cleaning stainless steel but can damage it by etching if the steel has impurities. Always rinse very well!

When we sold our last boat we used it on the old arch, it came up a treat, but as you say rinse well, even though it says no buffing required, a quick run round with a micro fibre cloth gives an extra shine.

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