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Rust stains on flag stones
Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron
pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb |
Rust stains on flag stones
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Rust stains on flag stones
On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 14:44:20 +0100, "Barb"
wrote and included this (or some of this): Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Well, there's this bloke, but he could prove a bit expensive. http://www.geocities.com/modernjopa/tarmim/newpage3.htm Try Steel brush and lots of elbow grease -- ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³ |
Rust stains on flag stones
On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 14:44:20 +0100, "Barb"
wrote: Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. The rust stains will have penetrated the flags down to quite a depth. You will need to clean to the same depth. Try neat chlorine bleach and leave it for a few days. |
Rust stains on flag stones
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Rust stains on flag stones
"Barb" wrote in message ... Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb Phosphoric acid used to be marketed under the trade name of "FOS" we used it lots on board ship to remove rust stains on white paint work and to treat prepared bare steel prior to painting, Places like Halfords will no doubt sell something similar for patching car paint work. Its only really dangerous if working aloft with it and then only if the ropes are natural fibres (i.e. we did not have to use full protective gear to apply it) -- Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National collections of Clematis viticella and Lapageria rosea cultivars |
Rust stains on flag stones
On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 15:23:07 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
wrote: In reply to Steve Wolstenholme ) who wrote this in , I, Marvo, say : On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 14:44:20 +0100, "Barb" wrote: Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. The rust stains will have penetrated the flags down to quite a depth. You will need to clean to the same depth. Try neat chlorine bleach and leave it for a few days. That's what I meant about largely unsafe :-) Another "cure" is conc hydrochloric acid or fuming nitric. It will damage the flags, as will the bleach, I suspect. Bleach doesn't damage flags but avoid any run off. Steve |
Rust stains on flag stones
In message , Barb
writes Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb What are the flagstones made of? Anything that will dissolve rust is liable to make a mess of limestone; some other rocks are more resistant. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
Rust stains on flag stones
On 6/8/07 14:44, in article , "Barb"
wrote: Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. I've forwarded this to Cormaic to see if he has any ideas and/or time to tell us! -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove weeds from address) 'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.' |
Rust stains on flag stones
On 6/8/07 17:58, in article ,
"Martin" wrote: On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:42:47 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 6/8/07 14:44, in article , "Barb" wrote: Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. I've forwarded this to Cormaic to see if he has any ideas and/or time to tell us! There is a chemical that will remove rust stains, people use it on GRP boats. Oxalic acid. It is toxic, Do you know how far it will penetrate, Martin, if these stains have gone deeply into the flags? I think Barb has to be careful what she does according to what kind of stone these are made from. -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove weeds from address) 'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.' |
Rust stains on flag stones
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:58:50 +0200, Martin wrote:
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:42:47 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 6/8/07 14:44, in article , "Barb" wrote: Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. I've forwarded this to Cormaic to see if he has any ideas and/or time to tell us! There is a chemical that will remove rust stains, people use it on GRP boats. Oxalic acid. It is toxic, That's interesting. Perhaps rhubarb leaves will remove rust - they contain oxalic acid. Steve |
Rust stains on flag stones
"Barb" wrote in message ... Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb Dissolve a Steredent Denture tablet in a very little hot water. When totally disolved and the foaming finished, try a small amount on a rust patch. Pour it on and leave it for 12 hours. If one of the rust patches is out of view, try it there :-) I think you will find it works :-)) Mike -- The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association. 'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy Reunion Bournemouth August/September 2007 www.rneba.org.uk "Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand |
Rust stains on flag stones
"Charlie Pridham" wrote in message ... "'Mike'" wrote in message ... "Barb" wrote in message ... Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb Dissolve a Steredent Denture tablet in a very little hot water. When totally disolved and the foaming finished, try a small amount on a rust patch. Pour it on and leave it for 12 hours. If one of the rust patches is out of view, try it there :-) I think you will find it works :-)) Mike And probably a lot easier to get hold of than my suggestion!! -- Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall Bathroom Cabinet in my case ;-) Mike -- The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association. 'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy Reunion Bournemouth August/September 2007 www.rneba.org.uk "Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand |
Rust stains on flag stones
"'Mike'" wrote in message ... "Barb" wrote in message ... Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb Dissolve a Steredent Denture tablet in a very little hot water. When totally disolved and the foaming finished, try a small amount on a rust patch. Pour it on and leave it for 12 hours. If one of the rust patches is out of view, try it there :-) I think you will find it works :-)) Mike And probably a lot easier to get hold of than my suggestion!! -- Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National collections of Clematis viticella and Lapageria rosea cultivars |
Rust stains on flag stones
Barb presented the following explanation :
Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb Hi Barb,how about just turn the flags over? -- Regards From Wane Smooth Help feed the Hungry,goto http://www.thehungersite.com It's Free! |
Rust stains on flag stones
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:03:44 GMT, Wane Smooth
wrote and included this (or some of this): Barb presented the following explanation : Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb Hi Barb,how about just turn the flags over? Many times, ye backs are far rougherer than the fruntz -- ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³ |
Rust stains on flag stones
Barb wrote:...
and whiskers on kittens, |
Rust stains on flag stones
on 06/08/2007, Martin supposed :
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:03:44 GMT, Wane Smooth wrote: Barb presented the following explanation : Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. Barb Hi Barb,how about just turn the flags over? Smart arse! -) I try. ;o) -- Regards From Wane Smooth Help feed the Hungry,goto http://www.thehungersite.com It's Free! |
Rust stains on flag stones
Thanks folks! Lots of suggestions - although turning them over is not
feasible. I like the Steradent one, Mike, I have some in my cabinet and I'll try it today. Barb "Martin" wrote in message ... On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:52:00 +0100, Derek Turner wrote: Barb wrote:... and whiskers on kittens, Brown paper packages tied up with strings -- Martin |
Rust stains on flag stones
In reply to Martin ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say : On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:02:24 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 6/8/07 17:58, in article , "Martin" wrote: On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:42:47 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 6/8/07 14:44, in article , "Barb" wrote: Hi, I've got some horrendous rust stains on flagstones, from old cast iron pation furniture. What's the best way of cleaning these? Can it be done? I've tried all sorts of the usual things and nothing really seems to work ... Thanks. I've forwarded this to Cormaic to see if he has any ideas and/or time to tell us! There is a chemical that will remove rust stains, people use it on GRP boats. Oxalic acid. It is toxic, Do you know how far it will penetrate, Martin, if these stains have gone deeply into the flags? I think Barb has to be careful what she does according to what kind of stone these are made from. No. I have never used it. I avoid nasty chemicals. Proprietary rust stain removers often contain oxalic acid. Some toilet cleaners contain oxalic acid. Rhubard leaves contain oxalic acid. You could try those :-) Acetic acid is just as effective (vinegar). I imagine borax would do the trick too, but will take long. |
Rust stains on flag stones
"Barb" wrote in message ... Thanks folks! Lots of suggestions - although turning them over is not feasible. I like the Steradent one, Mike, I have some in my cabinet and I'll try it today. Barb Only a very few poor souls find me stupid :-)) Mike -- The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association. 'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy Reunion Bournemouth August/September 2007 www.rneba.org.uk "Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand |
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Rust stains on flag stones
Nope, the Steradent didn't work, Mike. Worth a try though. Just went to
Halfords, in passing, and they didn't have anything. Just tried some vinegar and a bit of elbow grease on one spot with a brush, and it's shifted some of it, probably the stuff on the surface. And it's left a nice really, really clean ring round it!!!! Can't win. I might experiment with the vinegar over a wider area, actually. It's cheap enough and not nasty. Barb "'Mike'" wrote in message ... "Barb" wrote in message ... Thanks folks! Lots of suggestions - although turning them over is not feasible. I like the Steradent one, Mike, I have some in my cabinet and I'll try it today. Barb Only a very few poor souls find me stupid :-)) Mike -- The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association. 'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy Reunion Bournemouth August/September 2007 www.rneba.org.uk "Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand |
Rust stains on flag stones
"Barb" wrote in message ... Nope, the Steradent didn't work, Mike. Worth a try though. Just went to Halfords, in passing, and they didn't have anything. Oh dear :-(( So sorry. I do know it works on many things, besides teeth :-) Like pottery and I believe delicate Silver and Gold items. I would say that it is the rust which is the problem with regards to removing it. You need a chemical which eats rust. Perhaps a Ship or Boat Chandler? Kind regards Mike -- The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association. 'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy Reunion Bournemouth August/September 2007 www.rneba.org.uk "Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand |
Rust stains on flag stones
"Barb" wrote in message ... Nope, the Steradent didn't work, Mike. Worth a try though. Just went to Halfords, in passing, and they didn't have anything. Just tried some vinegar and a bit of elbow grease on one spot with a brush, and it's shifted some of it, probably the stuff on the surface. And it's left a nice really, really clean ring round it!!!! Can't win. I might experiment with the vinegar over a wider area, actually. It's cheap enough and not nasty. You need to soak it. Use some old rags and soak the vinegar in them, then put it on the whole flag, so it won't make one bit look better :-) You can buy vinegar wholesale. Get thewhite stuff if you can. HTH |
Rust stains on flag stones
On 8/8/07 12:26, in article ,
"Barb" wrote: Nope, the Steradent didn't work, Mike. Worth a try though. Just went to Halfords, in passing, and they didn't have anything. Just tried some vinegar and a bit of elbow grease on one spot with a brush, and it's shifted some of it, probably the stuff on the surface. And it's left a nice really, really clean ring round it!!!! Can't win. I might experiment with the vinegar over a wider area, actually. It's cheap enough and not nasty. Barb snip I can't think why I didn't think of this before! Here's the relevant section from Cormaic's page with all the gen: Removing rust stains Rust stains arise from water running over metal fixtures and fittings then depositing iron particles on the paving and/or from the oxidation (rusting) of iron-rich compounds in the aggregate of the paving. There's also a danger of accidental staining when weed- and mosskillers containing ferric sulphate are applied to lawns and gardens next to paths, patios and driveways. Rust stains are probably the most difficult to remove from most types of paving. Many of the dyes used to colour concrete paving are based on iron oxides, so many chemical agent may affect both the rust and the dyes. The 'patio cleaners' sold at the DIY sheds are based on a hydrochloric acid, and these usually have no effect on rust, although the stronger acid dilutions can sometimes make the stains darker. Due to enormous differences in the type, nature and porosity of any substrate, there are a number of possible 'solutions' that may work. It should be noted that just because a particular 'solution' works well on, say yorkstone flags, that does not mean that it will work on imported stone, or on concrete flags. Similarly, any particular solution may have different effects on wet-cast and pressed concrete flags. Whatever is used, it's best to try it out in a small, discreet area first, as it's impossible to predict just how any of these will react with any given stone or concrete. € Lemon Juice - genuine lemon juice, fresh from a lemon, not from a bottle or a plastic imitation lemon. Squeeze directly onto the stained area, allow it to react for 5 minutes or so but don't allow it to dry out. While still wet, scrub the stained area with a nylon/polypropylene bristled brush (an old toothbrush is ideal), working the lemon juice into the surface of the paving. Wash off with plenty of clean water after 5 minutes and repeat as necessary. € € Vinegar - use a clear or white vinegar (spirt vinegar) rather than a coloured vinegar (malt or balsamic). Some readers of this site have reported that cider vinegar gives good results on some concrete surfaces. Use in exactly the same way as described above. € € Oxalic Acid - nasty stuff, as it's highly toxic, and it's not easy to find. It's more commonly used in the woodworking trades to bleach or whiten wood, but it is quite effective at removing heavier rust stains from concrete and some types of stone. It may come as a proprietary "rust remover" in which case you should follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. The efficacy of these products is highly variable and they MUST be tested on an inconspicuous area prior to use to ensure that the paving is not damaged or discoloured by their use. General purpose concrete cleaners may also help to remove rust stains, but again, they are incredibly variable in effect, and it might be as well to use just a simple detergent and hot water. All this leaves mechanical action as the only non-chemical remedy; vigorous scrubbing with a wire brush can sometimes remove the worst of the staining, as can 'buffing', a process where a hard stone or abrasive is used to 'sand down' the surface of the paving, removing the rust, and revealing a clean surface beneath. As ever, prevention is better than cure. Although rust staining does not pose a threat to the structural integrity of the paving in the way that oils do to tarmac, it can be unsightly and detract from the aesthetics. Removal of rust sources and/or use of drip trays will keep most of the stains off the pavement. If using a mosskiller, then ensure any adjacent concrete surfaces are covered and protected. http://www.pavingexpert.com/stains.htm -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove weeds from address) 'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.' |
Rust stains on flag stones
"Sacha" wrote in message . uk... On 8/8/07 12:26, in article , "Barb" wrote: I can't think why I didn't think of this before! Here's the relevant section from Cormaic's page with all the gen: [snip] Vinegar is still the best. Lemon juice can be changed for Citric Acid (from the chemists and elsewhere in powder form) but costs more. Vinegar is the cheapest by far if you buy it by the gallon. Try a local chippie (fish and chip shop, not carpenter's) who might sell you a catering bottle, but probably won't have the clear stuff. Malt vinegar shouldn't stain the flags enough that a Karcher won't get the remainder off but it depends what the flags are made of, ie what cheap and nasty filling they used to cheapen them :-). Substitute "Karcher" for "hard work" in the rest :-) This works. I have done it, many times. And will do it many times more. |
Rust stains on flag stones
Thanks Sacha!
It's worth "going for it" with vinegar, then. The area isn't too big, just where a cast iron table and chairs stood. Not the first time I've been down on me knees with a scrubbing brush....!!! Thanks again for your suggestions folks. Barb "Martin" wrote in message ... On Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:02:02 +0100, Sacha wrote: ¤ Oxalic Acid - nasty stuff, as it's highly toxic, and it's not easy to find. It's more commonly used in the woodworking trades to bleach or whiten wood, but it is quite effective at removing heavier rust stains from concrete and some types of stone. It may come as a proprietary "rust remover" in which case you should follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. The efficacy of these products is highly variable and they MUST be tested on an inconspicuous area prior to use to ensure that the paving is not damaged or discoloured by their use. and on the plus side it doesn't leave your patio smelling like a fish and chip shop. -- Martin |
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