Topic: Rust On Plastic Bathtub

[Dianna]

Does anyone have a sure-fire way of cleaning a plastic (not fiberglass) bathtub or sink?

Our bathtub and sinks have rust spots staining them and I have tried just about everything to remove them with no success. CLR, The Works, Clorox, Soft Scrub, and Peroxide all just give me cleaner spots. I am at my wits' end with trying to get rid of them...

[UNCLEG]

Try Wink Rust remover or Rust Out....But read label before using to see if Plastic safe.  I use these at my house.  Both work very good.  Just be careful, the Wink will discolor metal fixtures and the Rust Out has fumes so vetilate the area well.

G

[Dianna]

Thanks, G! Where do I find these products? I have never heard of them...

[UNCLEG]

I get mine at the True Value Hardware store in Moncks Corner.  I have seen the Wink in Bilo before.

G

[Dianna]

Thanks, G. I will be looking for it the next time I go to town...

[UNCLEG]

Yall sound like you have water like I do, real high iron content.  If you have not already I would suggest getting an Iron filtration system from Culligan....I have had 3 previous water systems and the one I got from Culligan is by far the best!!!  It will help save your water fixtures.  Just a thought.

[sunsoaker]

when I first moved in here, I had bad rust stains within 3 days (among other things.. lol)  I have a full filtration system from Culligan (minus water softner, would have doubled cost) No problems with the rust at all anymore. Definately money well spent.

[Jim]

What doesn't make much sense though is that I had the water tested for metals when we filled the pool.  There was nothing that showed up on the test.  I guess I need to send some water off to the university to see what they say.

[sunsoaker]

Jim, if the water tested ok when you put in the pool, and it doesn't now, have your well checked out before filtering it.  I'm concerned that if and when I get a new well I won't have a need for all this filtering equipment that I'm making monthly payments on. Most people around me don't have the problems I'm having, and Culligan told me that it was very unusual to have both high iron and high sulfer in this area with a deep well... that was my first clue that it was collapsing.

[Jayrod1972]

I have used comet on rust spots and had real good results but, I had to put some elbow grease into... what I do is put it on there and add just alittle water so it doesnt turn into a soft liquid. I also thought about using rubbing compound from the auto section at wal mart but, havent tried it. Might wanna do A google search on the matter to what other people have used.

[Wrennie]

Barkeepers friend takes rust spots off of my enamel sink, corelle dishes etc. Found near the kitchen cleaners, like copper cleaner. Cleans out any drink stains from coffee/tea cups too. You'd have to read if its safe on plastic. I'd assume so.

[Dianna]

I have tried the Comet and the Barkeeper's Friend. Neither worked for me...

No wonder I have gained weight since we moved here. I have been drinking iron!

 

[Jim]

What doesn't make much sense though is that I had the water tested for metals when we filled the pool.  There was nothing that showed up on the test.  I guess I need to send some water off to the university to see what they say.

Did you not see this?  Maybe it's your eyes that we need to get checked. 

I don't think it is rust.   It's actually a rust colored stain.  We first noticed it after the repair team left and one of them had been in the tub putting spakling over nail holes.  We initially thought it might be a chemical stain of some sort but it appears to be getting slowly worse.

Dianna, you should take some pictures so everyone can see what you are talking about.

Our water does not have metals that show up on any test and I don't have to deal with them in the pool.  If they were there, you can bet I would have to do something other than add chlorine to keep my water sparkling clear.

[sunsoaker]

I don't think it is rust.   It's actually a rust colored stain.  We first noticed it after the repair team left and one of them had been in the tub putting spakling over nail holes.  We initially thought it might be a chemical stain of some sort but it appears to be getting slowly worse.

Have you talked to the repair team to see what they used, if it could be the culprit, and how to clean it? It would seem a good place to start since that's when you first noticed it.

One of the things I do like about my home is that the sinks are ceramic. They're cheap ceramic and not even/level, but ceramic none the less.

[Dianna]

The repair team would not talk to us, I am sure, Barb. We didn't give very good feedback and they didn't get a bonus...

[Jim]

I took some pictures when I got home today so you could all see the stain we are talking about.  I have no doubt that the tub is plastic and not fiberglass.  Fiberglass is shiny and plastic is not.  Anyway here are a couple shots of the tub.



Little better shot of the largest stain.



This is a shot of the whole tub.  Notice the reflection of the stripes in the mirror on the opposite wall.



Also here is a shot of the sink with some stains that are definitely from the water or something we are using because it is in both of our sinks.

[UNCLEG]

Jim I gotta say it does look like rust stains, over time even a little iron in you water will build up a stain,  the stains look just like what I get in my sinks and shower floor when I do not keep up with the rust removal regiment.   Just as a side  note I have very high iron content in my water(  unfiltered water will turn dark rusty brown when Clorox is added)  Even with the filtering system I still get a rust buildup that looks very much like your pics, that sink drain could be in my house.

Do you get any discoloration in your toilet bowls?

[Dianna]

Yep, the discoloration extends to the toilet bowls too, G, but I normally keep some of that "blue stuff" in them and it doesn't bother me as badly as the tubs and sinks...

[Tina]

We had a fiberglass shower installed back in the early 60's when fiberglass was the new thing. The guy that plastered the walls above the stall put down sacks from some of the material used in the building of the addition on the floor of the stall to protect from scratches. But whatever chemical was on those bags caused a reaction and the stall surface completely crackled all over. Top to bottom.
I have a fiberboard surround in my current tub that is crackled just like it. I really dislike all of the newer building materials with the chemical reactions that they have.
Your tub to me looks like rust stains as well. Is that where the last of the water settles before it dries up?
If/when you get it clean, use a hard shell car wax on it to protect. And dry after use as much as possible.

[Jayrod1972]

If bleach didnt get it clean then its gotta be alien rust  I am also wondering if it could be some type of dye. I would check the hotwater heater and then ask the city or county if they have had any reports of the same things you are having, normaly plastic doesnt rust unless some type of metal is rusting and the water sits for a period of time. Also, if you have a well that is leading into your pipes maybe the pump sucked something up. Remember im just speculating.

I will ask some of co-workers what it might be and see if they have a remendy for this problem.

[Jayrod1972]

I talked to a friend at work about getting rust off of plastic he told me he had used a product called naval jelly or could use a product called rust remover, its located in the automotive section by the paint and body isle. He used it on the lanolium floor in one of his rent house, removes a rust stain and it worked great. He said to put some on a cloth and dab it on let it set for about 30 minutes then wipe it off. He did say it was safe to use on plastic. I would try it on a small spot first like near the drain to see if it works.

[Dianna]

Yes, Tina. That is where the water settles to dry up. I will try to remember to buy a new chamois cloth just for the bathtub and shower. Thank you for the tip on waxing it to keep it protected.

Jayrod, Jim has some naval jelly in the shed. I will try that if the other stuff doesn't work. Thank you...

G, I couldn't find any "Rust Out" at the store, but I did find some "Iron Out". Is that the same thing? I will try it when I find my plastic gloves and get some energy. Sure hope I don't need a lot of scrubbing strength. I will let you know how it works out...

[UNCLEG]

Yes it is Iron Out, forgive me brain uses the wrong word all the time. Be careful it has strong fumes.  I usually fill the tub/sink  with water and just pour the powder in at let it go to work, 


Good Luck,

G

[Dianna]

Well, G, I found some "Rust Out" and tried it. It didn't work for these spots. I will go ahead and try the "Iron Out" when I get around to it.

The "Rust Out" was in a spray bottle. I can't remember what sort of medium the other was. If it is the powder like you had, I just add powder to the water in the tub or sink? How much?

[UNCLEG]

The stuff in the spray bottle is new, I just tried using it myself and was not pleased with the results, the one I had been using was in brown bottle with a "squirt top".  Yes the Iron out is in powder form, Just follow the directions on the bottle its ok to make it stronger than recommended, just remember to ventilate well, the fumes are strong.