Oxalic acid or buy it in a bottle at the marine store as some aptly named gelcoat stain remover probably "boatsmart" or similar. Follow instructions and it works like a treat. Then cut badly oxidised gelcoat with a cutting compound. (Farecla #10 for badly oxidised surface). Follow up with a UV wax and polish. Following the initial heavy cut with compound the surface can be maintained with regular application of UV wax and or polish with a combined cutting wax product.
Lots of internet advice but only one sure fire method of getting a truly deep shine is the old "elbow grease" product of course and you can't buy that in a marine store.

theselkie said..
Does anyone know of a way/product for getting rust stains out of gelcoat?

Presume you mean off gelcoat. I use a product called "Metal Gleam", it's a mixture of acids. Most people use oxallic acid. Either just oxallic acid diluted in water, sometimes mixed with wallpaper glue to make a paste so it stays on the side of the boat longer. You can also use other products that contain oxallic acid. Just slop it on with a sponge or brush, leave 3 or 4 minutes and hose off.

Haha....I mean the acid products

I have had sucsess with Jif as well HG . Good stuff !

I,m surprised your toilet gets stained frant , I,m sure there is no odour .........

The Guy in the la Vagabonde sailing blog recommended a product for cleaning rust stains.

Perhaps this should be posted in the 'Romance' thread, for I am IN LOVE!!!!

Sorry HG, but I did give Jif a try and it did remove the rust from the flat surfaces but not from the in-built non-skid areas in the gelcoat.

Bought a Rust Stain Remover and, omg, it worked!!!!

I'm taking Mr RSR out for dinner tonight

Hi bubbles,
Can you elaborate on the "spotless stainless rust cleaner " - what's it called, where did you get it, etc?
Regards,
Allan

isLooseChange said..
It is called "Spotless Stainless, Rust Remover and Protector" comes in 1 pint $27.5 or 1 quart $45.65 size containters plus $13.40 shipping ...... next ....

..... ring this man ..... Peter Moore on 0406 081 171 ... he will tell you more ..... or, just go here ......

http://spotlessstainless.com.au/spotless_stainless_sales.php

yup that's the stuff. a picture of some cleaning from last week. it had the usual many years worth of surface rust on it prior to using spotless. im more impressed with how little effort is required compared to other products and it gets into all the gaps which are impossible to get into with rubbing

LooseChange said..
It is called "Spotless Stainless, Rust Remover and Protector" comes in 1 pint $27.5 or 1 quart $45.65 size containters plus $13.40 shipping ...... next ....

..... ring this man ..... Peter Moore on 0406 081 171 ... he will tell you more ..... or, just go here ......

http://spotlessstainless.com.au/spotless_stainless_sales.php

That's probably Metal gleam in a different label. Nowra chemicals make all that stuff for all the big name brands. Metal gleam was about $45 for 20 litres. Use about 10% diluted in water. Still have a few litres left if you want to try.

bubble7777 said..
oxiylic acid in its raw form and without the massive boat price tag

www.bunnings.com.au/diggers-2kg-rust-and-stain-cleaner_p0960276

water it down a bit becase it is in its raw form.

on the subject of rust stains I bought a litre of spotless stainless rust cleaner and used it on my stanchions.

it is absolutely awesome. im still shocked at how well it works. highly recommended .just brush it on wait, don't let it dry so go around dabbing more on. then wash it off. all done and nice and shiny.

Bubble, are you talking about actual rust on your stanchions or 'tea stains'.???

In very small doses just about every acid tastes like citric, it's the burn in the mouth you associate with citric, not having tasted any other acid.

I'll second the PeterGs Kleen a Hull. I used 250ml or 1/4 of a one litre bottle on the Adams 10 topsides. Worked a treat. Best to do when boat is slipped and being gurneyed[sp]. Wipe on with rag and wash off with fresh as you don't want the acid to stay on the topsides.

Available at Whitworths and most good chandleries.

Sweet!!

Oxalic is available in crystal form too. We used to clean leather with it before painting it. You can make your own dilution in any strength required.

Only one warning: take care not to let your antifoul come into contact with any acid when you hose it off. The acid is going to kill your antifoul in no time.

I found, phosphoric acid works better on ss.