which product can I use to get rid of the rust on my rigging?

[alexlago]

I've just installed a brand new rigging two months ago and spots of rust already appears along the cables and on the turnbuckles...
The manufacter told me it was just "metallic pollution"... but that I have to get rid of it as soon as I can..
Which product is recommended to get rid of those rust stains?

 

[dom]

Is the boat beside an obvious source of 'metallic pollution', for otherwise this excuse is highly dubious.

 

[alexlago]

well...what to do...now i've got the rigging installed and the boat is in the shipyard....so metallic pollution is everywhere...so, my issue is to get rid of that rust...it seems superficial, it goes off scrubing it with a finger...

 

[Skylark]

Bar Keepers Friend. Costs £2.50 from Tesco. Mix with water to make a paste. Apply liberally with a small paint brush. Make a cup of tea, wait a while. Stand back and admire your handy work.

 

[fredrussell]

Seems odd to me. Do boats in boatyards often pick up ‘metallic polution’ in this way? Mine never have.

 

[Poignard]

Seems odd to me. Do boats in boatyards often pick up ‘metallic polution’ in this way? Mine never have.

Perhaps if some thoughtless person starts using an angle-grinder on mild steel nearby? But then you would get rust spots on the deck as well. And neighbouring boats would be getting it also.

 

[lw395]

Grinding dust.
I would polish with something like solvol autosol, which will remove the corrosion, smooth the surface and leave a protective oil/wax behind.
If it's really minor, just rubbing with wax polish or the proverbial oily rag will do.
FTAOD, I mean a literal oily rag, not a mechanic etc.

 

[vyv_cox]

Polish it. The cause is micro crevice corrosion. Polishing removes the deposits and will ultimately remove the crevices.

 

[Marine Reflections]

Spotless Stainless

[video=youtube;lT3uUgOq8Q0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=lT3uUgOq8Q0[/video]

 

[sarabande]

Polish it. The cause is micro crevice corrosion. Polishing removes the deposits and will ultimately remove the crevices.

That would work for the flattish metal surfaces, but how can one remove an external rusty cause from the interstices of wire rope strands ?

 

[MoodySabre]

Spotless Stainless

[video=youtube;lT3uUgOq8Q0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=lT3uUgOq8Q0[/video]

+1 but needs 20c to function properly.

 

[Poignard]

Spotless Stainless

Is that not oxalic acid?

 

[Marine Reflections]

+1 but needs 20c to function properly.

Yes, higher temp will see faster results

 

[Marine Reflections]

Is that not oxalic acid?

No.

 

[prv]

Seems odd to me. Do boats in boatyards often pick up ‘metallic polution’ in this way? Mine never have.

Ours used to when we were directly downwind of a metal scrapyard. But that was all over, obviously, not just on rigging.

Pete

 

[VicS]

No.

If not, what ?

 

[Keith 66]

If someone has been grinding steel nearby you would have rust pocks all over your deck & windows.
The only other possible explanation is that your rigging has been made from ordinary commercial grade stainless 304 or A2 grade instead of marine 316 (A4 grade).
It sounds like the rigging manufacturer was cutting corners or seeking to maximise profit as the marine grade is more expensive.
Proving which grade it is will be more difficult but it sounds like you have been striped up.

 

[sarabande]

Spotless Stainless are remarkably coy about releasing their safety data sheet.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?499236-Spotless-Stainless-and-it’s-other-uses

There is also a warning " Spotless Stainless™ Rust Remover should not be applied to concrete, carbon steel, zinc, galvanized steel and NON 300 series "


They have been asked to provide me with the MSDS, as their website simply says "Spotless Stainless™ uses a safe chemical process"

 

[Poignard]

No.

Alright, let me put it another way.

What does this expensive product do that cheap oxalic acid won't do just as well?

 

[sarabande]

Shirley the primary action is to remove the cause (iron particles ?) and then deal with the superficial rust ?