Leather wheel covering. How to remove rust stains?

[rudolph_hart]

My wheel's sewn leather covering has a 'suede' finish, which gives excellent grip. However, I suspect it is also more porous than a tanned leather finish, because some small rust patches have appeared over recent years. I've treated them with Rust Stain Remover which doesn't really remove them.

I realise I could just replace the covering, but:

a) It's in sound condition apart from these few stains.
b) if the wheel had to be removed, it would not be that simple. It's mounted on the forward part of the binnacle/dashboard, & its central boss is braced with a bearing against the mainsheet track. It is also recessed into a drained well in the cockpit sole, where it gets wet in foul weather or when the deckwash is used.

Any ideas?

 

[Quandary]

I am not sure about the best cleaning agent but do not be tempted to give it a blast with a power washer, you can make a hole in wheel leather very quickly.
The grey rough textured leather on wheels like Jefa's etc. is often 'elkhide' which is reindeer skin (though the kids do not want to know that), it is reversed with the rough texture outward for grip, is very tough and durable when dry but softens a lot when saturated.
Rocky Mountain Tanners (Google) recommend spot cleaning elkhide with saddle soap or a mild detergent.

 

[pvb]

I'd try very dilute oxalic acid, then rinse copiously with fresh water.

 

[thinwater]

If they are rust stains, they are coming from under the cover and will just keep coming back. They are all the way through.

Sounds like the cover needs to come off and the offending spots demolished out and passivized. Or learn to look the other way. It's a boat, not jewellery.

 

[rudolph_hart]

If they are rust stains, they are coming from under the cover and will just keep coming back. They are all the way through.

Sounds like the cover needs to come off and the offending spots demolished out and passivized. Or learn to look the other way. It's a boat, not jewellery.

Thanks for the replies. I've tried dilute oxalic as well without success. I'd recognised that the stains are coming through from the s/steel rim inside. As I'm not keen on removing the wheel to change/clean the cover, I guess I'll continue to look the other way, as I have done for the last 8 years or so.

 

[pvb]

Thanks for the replies. I've tried dilute oxalic as well without success. I'd recognised that the stains are coming through from the s/steel rim inside. As I'm not keen on removing the wheel to change/clean the cover, I guess I'll continue to look the other way, as I have done for the last 8 years or so.

You could replace the cover in situ. It's a bit awkward, but possible.

 

[Yngmar]

You could replace the cover in situ. It's a bit awkward, but possible.

I actually found it easiest to do that way - the wheel stays put and you keep turning it as you progress the stitching.

Had to redo mine because the stitches were rotten and parting. The suede was fine and I handwashed it in a bucket with some laundry detergent, then applied Renapur to protect it. Came out alright considering it is now 16 years old.

 

[rudolph_hart]

I actually found it easiest to do that way - the wheel stays put and you keep turning it as you progress the stitching.

Had to redo mine because the stitches were rotten and parting. The suede was fine and I handwashed it in a bucket with some laundry detergent, then applied Renapur to protect it. Came out alright considering it is now 16 years old.

Nice - the extra lashing below the turk's head is a neat touch :encouragement:

My elkhide is now 22 years old & is in sound condition thanks to a cockpit 'conservatory' which zips to the sprayhood & protects the whole cockpit, but the area of wheel that is recessed into the sole when helm is 'central' probably doesn't have enough airflow to fully dry & that's the part with the stains.

 

[tudorsailor]

Why do you need to remove the wheel to recover? I did mine in situ with leather from http://seadogs.co.uk/ Took a little time, but now looks lovely. Of course you might want to do something to stop the rust coming through the new leather before putting the leather on

TudorSailor

 

[rudolph_hart]

Update.

Bau Fix from Lidl. 150ml bottle £2.50-ish. Brush it on & leave it.

Works a treat.:encouragement: Mind you, it might still come back later.

 

[VicS]

Update.

Bau Fix from Lidl. 150ml bottle £2.50-ish. Brush it on & leave it.

Works a treat.:encouragement: Mind you, it might still come back later.

but Baufix what?

Baufix is a brand name for a wide range of paints, preservatives, cleaners and other items

My tube of "Baufix" is silicone grease !

 

[pvb]

but Baufix what?

Baufix is a brand name for a wide range of paints, preservatives, cleaners and other items

My tube of "Baufix" is silicone grease !

Presaumably Baufix Rustfleck Remover.

 

[rudolph_hart]

Apologies for less than full info.

It is Baufix Rust Stain Remover.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

It will undoubtedly contain oxalic acid, you are converting the rust ferric oxide into the oxalate salt salt which is water soluble and can be washed out.

The permanent solution would be to remove the cover and wrap the wheel in insulating tape then reapply the cover.

 

[pvb]

It will undoubtedly contain oxalic acid, you are converting the rust ferric oxide into the oxalate salt salt which is water soluble and can be washed out.

I thought that, but it doesn't contain oxalic acid. The active ingredient is sodium thioglycolate, which I believe is also used in some automotive wheel cleaners.