Rust stains on fiberglass items are likely to occur at some point because fiberglass is commonly used to coat tubs and other surfaces that come into regular contact with water. This necessitates the use of everyday household items as well as a delicate touch. Excessive force or an abrasive applicator can scratch the finish and highlight stains and rust.
Avoid using scouring pads and powders, steel wool, or scraping tools to clean fiberglass. Instead, use soft, nonabrasive materials such as polyethylene, polyester, or nylon. Here's how to easily go about it:
Use water and baking soda to remove the rust stains. Using a dampened soft nylon brush, scrub the baking soda into the rust stains. If the water in the brush does not combine with the baking soda to form a paste, wet the brush again and add more water to the mixture.
Allow the baking soda paste to sit on the rust stains for an hour. While you wait, you can do other things. After an hour, use a clean, wet sponge to remove the paste from the fiberglass. Ensure that no baking soda residue remains on the surface.
If the stains are still visible, wet a white cotton cloth with acetone. Open a window for ventilation and gently rub the stains with the acetone to remove any remaining traces of rust. When the stains have faded, rinse the fiberglass with a wet sponge. Wipe the surfaces dry immediately after each use to prevent stains from recurring in the future.
Avoiding stains is always better than allowing stains to ruin your fiberglass tub. But don't worry if rust stains appear in your bathtub; you can remove them by following the steps outlined above. In addition to the baking soda paste, you can use salt and lemon or vinegar and borax to remove tough stains and maintain the condition of your fiberglass tub.
For more information on fiberglass tubs like how to refinish them and remove yellow stains, head on over to Senior Strong!
