Rain stained silicone

petem

petem

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Cotswolds / Altea
www.fairlineownersclub.com
In Spain we have an issue with "red rain", i.e. dusty rain, presumably from the Sahara or some place. Anyhow, over time this discolours and stains silicone sealant.

Can anyone recommend any potions for removing the staining and restoring the white colour?

Thanks.
 
petem said:
In Spain we have an issue with "red rain", i.e. dusty rain, presumably from the Sahara or some place. Anyhow, over time this discolours and stains silicone sealant.

Can anyone recommend any potions for removing the staining and restoring the white colour?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I don't have the chemistry knowledge to back it up, but I have the feeling that silicone always remains attractive to dust and stains, quite apart from the fact it never seems to do well outdoors - there are better sealants available. Other than that I've found a paste of Vanish or suchlike quite effective - brush it on, forget about , rinse it off when you remember.
 
Oxalic acid for starters. Less agressive.

Replacing the silicone, like in bathrooms, might be the solition. Rather before doing a lot that doesn't really solve it anyway.

Not too hard to remove if you get the right tools and watch the Youtube advanced (3 mins) or the advanced extended (7 mins.) training :p
 
If and it's a big if it's iron staining of some sort than oxalic acid will "bleach" it to a colourless water soluble ferrous oxalate. If it's Sahara sand that has somehow stuck to or become impregnated into the silicone then short of removing the silicone nothing will remove it.
 
There are many marine sealants and adhesives. If its rain streaked it must be on deck. Seal deck fittings properly with butyl tape and they never leak.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
If and it's a big if it's iron staining of some sort than oxalic acid will "bleach" it to a colourless water soluble ferrous oxalate. If it's Sahara sand that has somehow stuck to or become impregnated into the silicone then short of removing the silicone nothing will remove it.
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Thanks. According to Copilot AI...

"The staining in Sahara red rain is primarily caused by mineral dust particles, especially iron-rich clay and silt, that are lifted from the Sahara Desert and transported by atmospheric winds over long distances."

I've got some rust stain remover (which contains Oxalic acid) so I'll try that.

Pete
 
The other thing that I have found recently that works well on getting rid of a lot of stains on boats is "Dirtbusters UPVC cleaner" am not sure what the active ingredient is but it seems to remove most of the stains that Oxalic struggles with
 
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