Rust in bath tub

Question

I have a bad rust stain that has gotten worse now. I can feel a ridge or edge going down into the surface. What if anything can be done? Would really appreciate your help, thank you. Also the second picture is stained sink that is not as bad.

Donna Byram · Answer

Rust-Oleum has a tub and tile repair kit that would work on your tub. http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7860519-Refinishing-2-Part-White/dp/B000PTSBKW

Ann mize · Answer

I HAD THIS AND MY PLUMMBER TOLD ME TO GET ME A BLOCK OF SAND PAPER AND SAND IT DOWN AND THEN PAINT WITH WHITE PAINT RUST PAINT AND IT DONE LOVELY.. I JUST DONE THIS LAST WEEK AND I AM GOING TO PUT ANOTHER COAT OF PAINT ON IT. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.

Claudia Watts · Answer

Thank you ladies for your advice. Ann, I'm going to use your idea of sanding the area first (because part of the area is so rough), then Donna, I will purchase the Rust-Oleum kit to finish it. Hope this works because the tub is only 4 years old. The reason the rust is there in the first place is my fault. One summer I had fruit flys that were coming up threw the drain and my plummer told me to use a mixture of bleach & water down the drain. I did this several times and they still kept coming, so I one day I pored just the bleach in. That's when the tub surface began to change. I could now kick myself for not following orders.

Thanks again I really appreciate the help. Will follow up after the project is done and add another picture.

Z · Answer

I'd use Naval Jelly first on the rust. You don't need to buy the whole repair kit. Just get a little bottle of the Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy paint. Less expensive and will work just as well.

Kathleen · Answer

There is a product called Barkeeper's Friend that is very similar to Comet/Ajax. It costs about the same, too, and can be purchased anywhere. I've found it at Walmart. It easily removes rust stains that regular Ajax doesn't. (although it doesn't do as good of a job that Ajax does on the other stains!) In your case, it won't help in the places where it's chipped on the porcelain, but it's a good cleaner to have around for those small rust spots before they get bad. You can buy a small tube of porcelain paint for about $5 at Home Depot and fill in the chipped areas. Very easy to do--like painting your nails!

Claudia Watts · Answer

Hi Becky, thank you for your suggestion. By the name Naval Jelly, did you mean Veseline or Petroleum Jelly? Also, does the Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy paint come in a cream color that would match the tub surface? So far this may be a better answer that would be easier, but I don't know.

Creativeme · Answer

Your bath doesn't seem old enough to be rusting. Looks like some damage was done when the drain was put in. Do not use any bleach products for cleaning iron tubs, ect., it will make this worse. Naval jelly won't remove rust, I believe it is a rust inhibitor to stop rust. Agree with Kathleen about buying a small tube or bottle of appliancehttp Make sure all is completely dry. Last, and more work, are you sure it is the tub and not a plumbing connection at the drain with rust?Leaching out that is causing the rust.

www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/bathroom/how-to-remove-rust-stains-from-tub-871709 paint. 
Here is another Hometalk about rust.

Cheryl · Answer

A little CLR to clean the rust, use a sand block to remove what the CLR doesn't get and then apply the Rustoleum to fill in the holes and repair the surface color.

Denise Weick · Answer

there is a tried & true 'OLD' remedy, BARKEEPER'S FRIEND' I like the dry(powder-like) version, they make both wet & dry, it is like Comet or Ajax cleanser& inexpensive. It
 will remove the rust,while NOT scratching the surface.

Julie mead · Answer

Try peroxide on the stain.  It's a great cleaner. Kills most germs with no scent. You can buy it in spray bottles at Walmart now. Works wonders on blood stains and laundry.  Best of all....it's cheap!  It worked on my sink like that. Let it set for awhile.  It will bubble the dirt and gunk out of the cracks.

Patricia Castrejon · Answer

We use a liquid called Whink--it's available at grocery stores and hardware stores.

Cathy · Answer

Try RustOut it is sold at Walmart

Kerry Morris · Answer

I would try soaking it with vinegar. Then buy some enamel paint at your hardware store that matches your tub. They have little jars specifically for that.

Bibi Sweet67 · Answer

I heard coke would take rust out. I want to try it my self I have a couple of stuff that I need to do.

Tresha Kay Flaurr · Answer

I use The Works toilet bowl cleaner. You can get it at walmart

Shari · Answer

My husband has been a saltwater boater for years. Saltwater is very corrosive on metals so he has used Naval jelly for rust on his boat, trailer, fishing gear etc. He swears by it. http://www.ehow.com/how_4465030_remove-rust-naval-jelly.html

Debbie hays · Answer

The works will get any rust out as I clean homes for a living. It will get anything out if anything. But be very careful when using it as it WILL take the metal finishing off. Also, be sure to wear gloves (I don't) when using it because it will burn and make your skin itch. But it will take out all sorts of stains that most products wont.

Daryl · Answer

You need to remove the rust and then get an enamel repair kit from the hardware store. The rust will eventually eat a hole through the metal and the entire tub will need to be replaced. The Rust-Oleum kit has some decent reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7860519-Refinishing-2-Part-White/dp/B000PTSBKW

Mary Ottarski · Answer

This is for the person who is looking to fix their sink it looks bad go get this to restore your tub or see it really works very well makes it brand-new like you bought it this is the name of what I used on my tub. TUB & TILE !!!!! I hope that I have helped you with your situation with your seek God bless !! My name is Mary I live in Durham North Carolina

Sherry B. · Answer

CHEAP and proven over and over by me is Bar Keepers Friend.  It's next to the comet in Wal-Mart/grocery stores.  It will take rust off of anything....even clothes!  It also is a great cleaner of brass.  Wet a rag and put some powder on the rag, wipe on brass, wait a couple minutes and rinse off.  Awesome results..! Been using this for 27 years wouldn't use anything else.

William Anderson · Answer

Coca-Cola will do the trick - the phosphoric acid found in it is also used as a rust remover - it chemically reacts nicely with iron oxide (ie rust) - don't fret, it has a different reaction with you than with rust

Krazy K · Answer

I agree with Sherry B,    Bar Keepers friend is the BOMB!!!! they sell it at Lowe's for under $3 it comes in soft cleanser and scouring powder. Both r awesome!!!

Christine Jess Danbrook · Answer

Clean area with vinegar, let dry, then use appliance repair paint that you can buy at Walmart, it comes in a small bottle with it's own brush. Dab onto spots and let dry . Good luck.

Doris · Answer

Most important to make sure the whole area is dry before applying the new enamel paint ....use a hair dryer ...

Judith Dilly · Answer

Christine is right

Claudia Watts · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.

Barbara · Answer

a product called IRON OUT from HOME DEPOT has worked great for me

Sherry B. · Answer

I am telling you.....you do not scrub with Bar Keepers Friend !!  Just make wet paste..rub on..wait about 5 min or longer if you want to and rinse off.  It gets No easier...believe me, I am Always looking for that !! You can also remove rust off clothing with this stuff!!

Claudia Watts · Answer

Thank you Sherry, I'm going to try it tomorrow! I'll let you know after.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

I read that 2 bottles of coke a cola will clean a toilet, im not sure on rust. I have a water softener, have alot of iron in my water. Go to walmarts & buy iron-out. I put in a new toilet and tub in about 5 yrs ago, and I want to keep them as good looking as new. Read the directions on back of the bottle

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