I find Ronstan Gelcoat Restorer as good as anything. Just make sure you don't get it on any aluminium.

FelixdeCat said..
The label on the front does say "Inhalation will cause death"

And they mean it, that stuff is so toxic I'm surprised you can buy it over the counter without a prescription .... or something.
It's a combination of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. I would advise that you not use it, or if you do, then have an assistant in case the fertiliser goes into the ventilator .

Propwalk said..
Hi all,
looking at the ss rigging on my Cav 32 I see some surface "rust" which I want to clean up, just wondering if "Autosol Metal Life Saver" at Bunnings is similar to the pickling paste used by welders?

Bill

Metal Gleam is the answer. I used to buy this stuff in 20 litre containers. Mix with water in the recommended ratios and slop it on. Agitate with a brush or sponge, leave for a few minutes and hose off. Use over all your stainless steel and fibreglass and painted surfaces just like you would do with oxalic acid. Leaves SS shiny and rips off stains on fibreglass. Cleans and softens paint temporarily prior to over coating. Used widely in the fishing industry. Also good on bare aluminum dinghies etc where it will etch the alloy. Reasonably safe just don't splash in to your eyes!
www.nowchem.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Metal-Gleam.pdf

Like oxalic acid it works better on a warm day. Try to use it away from nosy pensioners, there will be some foam going into the water.

You really need to differentiate between pickling/ pacifying and cleaning.
For cleaning stainless components I use a product called Spotless Stainless.

http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/spotless-makes-stainless-steel-sparkle.

For pickling welds I am trying my own concoction of a citric acid in a electrolysis bath to stay away from using the paste that I always seem to get on my clothes, in my eyes etc.
Citric acid can be bought in de scaling products for cleaning commercial kitchen equipment.

www.domchem.com/PDF/com/Descaler%20SDS.pdf.

I'm also going to give it a go for cleaning stainless and descaling the raw water cooling circuit of the engine.

Check where these products are made. Metal Gleam is made by Nowra Chemicals. They make stuff for other major brands which sell with a different label and boutique prices.