Oxalic acid on sails?

[westhinder]

I have used oxalic acid on the hull to good effect, and now I am wondering if I could use it to remove rust stains from a sail? Or is it going to damage the cloth?

 

[Rabbie]

Try this from wackyhometips.com first .......

Rust stains are normally difficult to get rid off. However, for some fabrics there is an easy solution. Dampen the affected area with lemon juice and expose the garment to sunlight for an hour and a half. Then wash the garment normally.

Much safer.

 

[savageseadog]

Polyester materials are resistant to acid so should be OK

 

[sarabande]

I managed to spill very weak acid on a seat belt once. The belt itself was ok (I poured water on it straight away) but the stitching curled up and became like jelly.

Test on a small piece that doesn't matter. err - WHICH bit of a sail doesn't matter ? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[nordic_ranger]

Yes I have done so but be careful not to get it on to the stiching.

 

[charles_reed]

My sailmaker advised against doing so, especially for cosmetic reasons, on the grounds that it accelerated the UV degradation and should NEVER be used on nylon (ruling out spinnakers and most stitching).