I bought a 100+ year old house. It has a Claw Foot tub, which I will retain. Unfortunatley it has a a few Rust stains, from the drain chain, near the drain etc.
I have tried many items, to remove those rust stains - Ajax, Gel Gloss, Soft Scrub.
Can anyone recommend a way, that I can remove the rust stains?
The rust indicates that the original finish has failed. The rust will quickly return if you do get it off. You can try Barkeepers Friend but when you do get it off you still need to repair the finish.
If you poke around on the net, there are lots of articles about various strategies for refinishing cast iron tubs, from touching up with epoxy paint to a total strip and refinish.
A professional refinish will cost about half the price of a new claw foot tub. YMMV on how long it will last.
CLR or Phosphoric acid come to mind.
Not necessarily - he said the rust was drom the drain plug chain. The porcelain may be perfectly OK. I'd dry the CLR or Phosphoric acid first (metal prep, rust-out, Resin cleaner for water softener, etc)
I agree. If I leave a metal can sitting in my Kohler porcelain sink that is only 5 years old, it will leave a rust stain, if it sits there for a few days. And it's hard to get it out with soft scrub, but it comes right out with CLR or similar.
You might try plain old white vinegar.
Here are the before and after shots of my daughter's 2002 Gallant. All I used was vinegar and a green scrubby. I know the rust stains will come back, but I needed to drive the car for a few days while she used my van and it's much less embarrassing in the "after" condition.
Before:
After:
On the road and across the parking lot, it looks fine. Well, finer. ;-)
On a tip I used Barkeeper's Friend to remove rust from around a sink drain and it worked fine. It's a powder sold beside Comet cleanser and Bon-Ami.
Thanks, for all of the propmpt/ excellent advice. I am sure I will find a solution, from your many suggestions.
As a clarification, the rust stain t hat I want to remove was soley due to a now failing chain. The tub's interior, is most acceptable (it is 100+ years old). I now need to find an internet source, for a replacement overflow cover, chain and drain assembly. Hopefully those replacements will not likewise rust.
MANY Thanks -dave
I will try the various suggestions, noen of which I had previously tried.
Cool video about using molasses to clean rusty rims...with a really cool song by the Bently Boys at the end. Yes, that's Bently, not Bentley.
The rims:
The song:
Sorry...bad link to song. Try this one...
If that doesn't work, just go to grooveshark.com and search for Bently Boys
Per your suggestions I purchased/ tried CRL and Bartender's Friend. For my specific application, the Bartender's Friend was far superior !! Our 100 + year old tub looks like it was professionally refinished, at near Zero cost.
Thanks, to all whom provided the above info.
Oren,
I sure appreciated your advice, as well as the many others whom offered their suggestions!
I am (more importanntly the MRS) is MOST happy with our NEW Claw Foot Tub.
THX
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