Bath tub area badly stained - suggestions?

[jonesgirl]

Just bought 1981 excella II 31" and pulled it home today. Everything is pretty good with some minor fix ups except the bathtub area is badly stained with rusty rings. I hate that and want it to look nice. The material seems to be plastic. Can this be coated? Any good products or services that would fix this up?

[bake315]

I wonder if brushing those areas with a little bit of naval jelly, then allowing them to sit a few minutes before rinsing would take care of it?

[Lumatic]

2 suggestions:
I'm not sure about 84 but the color in the 70s bathroom plastic was throughout the plastic and surface staining can be sanded off.

I painted my bathroom with an epoxy paint called Tough as Tile with excellent results. There are several different brands and you should find info on a search. If you go this route wear a respirator. Off gassing is more toxic than regular paint but not dangerous with proper precautions.

[RBolton]

I'd start with an abrasive cleaner like comet. I was successful with an automotive finish rubbing compound and a whole lot of elbow grease. It seems like the rust stains permeate into the plastic and if they are not just on the surface - won't polish off - then refinishing may be the only solution.

[Becky B.]

The shower in my '86 was badly stained with a rusty color when I bought it too. I soaked the stains with Tilex soap scum remover and Clorox toilet bowl cleaner (the thick stuff). I put rags over the mixture & let it soak overnight. It really got alot of the stains out. I repeated the steps a number of times & only have one small stain (I think that stain really IS rust from a shaving cream can) that didn't come out. I think the other stains may have been less concentrated rust from hard water. The trick was to let it soak--just walk away! Good luck!

[garry]

I sanded with a very fine grit sand paper and it turned out good.
Other options;
1. You paint. Others have done this and have had good results.
2. Pay to have it professionally finished.

Garry

[Excella CM]

Oxalic acid will sometimes get rust stains out.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Excella CM

Oxalic acid will sometimes get rust stains out.

There is a cleanser called "Zud" that contains Oxalic acid - I once turned a completely rust colored toilet bowl pristine by simply sprinkling it in, dampening it and leaving it for 5 minutes.

I've seen several that were coated with "tough as tile" or similar products: they look great, and allow you to choose a whole new color palette for your bath.

Enjoy your Airstream, Paula

[CharlieE]

There is a product on the market called CLR. I think most of the Ace Hardware stores sell it. It removes calcium deposits, lime deposits and rust. It would seem to me if the tub plastic is porous enough to absorb rust then it would be porous enough to absorb the CLR. If you sandpaper or scour you may end up with"clean spots" where you sand unless you do the whole tub. Give CLR a try you might like it. Charlie E.