Rust stains on a sail.

[lesweeks]

I recently bought an Old Gaffer as a 'project' and it came with some pretty old sails (1962!) which are still in good nick except that one of them has a thimble that has gone rusty and has left rust stains in various places on the 'white' sailcloth. Anyone got a magic method of reducing the staining?

 

[Aja]

Welcome.

You don't say what the sails are - Terylene or cotton?

I suspect that using a very weak solution of Oxalic Acid will remove the rust staining.

It is available from chemists - but difficult to get it is a poison! It is also available in proprietry gel-coat cleaners 'Starbright' 'Y-10' and many others - take a look on the bottles.

Good Luck

Donald

 

[orizaba]

i tried to get oxalic acid but couldnit,had the same problem on an old sail, i used a weak solution of one of the cleaners mentioned above,plenty of scrubbing and warm soapy water,both sides of the sail, then plenty of hosing to make sure all chemicals etc had gone,it didn't get rid of it totally but was a huge improvement,
test a small area first

 

[cliffordpope]

Stain it red!