Topic: Rust On Plastic Bathtub

[duh]

I was really lucky.  What I thought was rust on my fiberglass tub was actually clay from the well.  Scrubbing bubbles cleaned it right up.

[bestofour]

Greased Lightening is good for all types of stains but a pumice stone is great for sinks.  Can you sand it out?

[Jim]

Considering it's a plastic tub, it might not be a good idea to do too much sanding.  The tub wall is probably only about 3/16ths thick if even that. 

[Jayrod1972]

I did a google search on removing the stain, the answers I got was a little suprising to me. the answers ranged from using bleach, oxi clean, vinegar, rust remover, clr, and the most suprising answer was Tang. I am just wondering if the stain has soaked all the way through the plastic?
I have almost the same problem but my whole garden tub is yellow and it use to be white.

[Dianna]

I have been researching, too, since nothing I have tried has worked, Jayrod. I found a forum on manufactured housing and searched for an answer.

It seems that Clorox will make the stain worse if it is a "hard" water stain. While thinking about it, I realize that that was my first solution when I noticed the small stain. I poured the Clorox to it. The stain has spread all over my garden tub. The solution that I found was to use a non-chlorine bleach alternative. I haven't tried it yet, but will post the results when I get around to doing so...

I loved Tang as a child. If the other "fix" doesn't work, I will try it. Do they still sell Tang? If it doesn't work, I am sure my money won't be wasted, at least!

[Jessica]

They do still sell Tang, Dianna.  Good luck! I hope you find a solution.

[duh]

because of the well problem I jnow have globes of iron comming up into my tub when I run the water.  Talk about an orange stain.  Fortunately for me I get right on it and the scrubbing bubbles fix it right up.

[Sunflower]

Make a thick heavy paste of white vinegar and baking soda....make a lot.

Layer it thick on the stains, cover with plastic wrap and leave sit overnight...it should lighten it. You might have to do it a few times.

[Jessica]

Tam, you have all the answers to this kind of stuff.  Cool!

[Sunflower]

What can I say? I'm the Queen of clean.

I LOVE to clean, fix and repair stuff..

[Dianna]

Now that is something that I haven't tried, but will as soon as I pick up some baking soda. Thank you, Tamara. I sure hope it works...

I had forgotten about the Tang. Guess I will get it when I go to the store, too. Gotta have something refreshing to drink after I try it on the stain, too...

[sunsoaker]

This may sound totally off the wall, have you tried lightly scrubbing it with an sos/brillo pad? Try a small area first. If it works, go at it. Then use the hard shell car wax on it once it's clean. As long as the car wax is kept up, you should be able to clean it much easier.

[duh]

Always I find out things to late.  The fiberglass tubs are only suppose to be cleaned with a light application of vinegar or the shine goes away permanently. 

[sunsoaker]

That's what the hard shell wax is for. Puts the shine back as well as protect the tub's surface.

[Dianna]

Barb, I have literally tried just about everything. I even used a pumice stone in the guest bath sink and all it did was scratch it. The only thing that will remove that stain will be a stick of dynamite...

 

[sunsoaker]

Sounds like the next step will be replacing sinks and tubs.. 

[Bonnie]

Oh snockers, it ain't that bad. Just ignore it.

[duh]

Definitely ignore it.  The sinks and tubs in trailers aren't the standard size.  Guess how I know.  And although it is possible to replace the cabinet, cabinet counter and sink the bathtub is an entire different ball of wax.  That is if you can even find one that will fit through the odd twists and turns that is if you have one like I do.  You should have seen them trying to take out the dryer.

[Tina]

I think I'd be tempted to paint it. Sand and paint with a plastic friendly paint. And I'd go with a rust color to abate future problems.