If rust is developing on your stainless steel pool & fountain products (non-powdercoated), it’s due to the passive layer being physically or chemically damaged or contaminated. The sooner you address rusting issues, the less maintenance will be required long-term. Follow the following procedures to remove rust and re-passivate the surface.
Supplies
- Nitrile or Chemical-Resistant Disposable Gloves
- Eye Protection
- Soft/Microfiber Towels
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Clear plastic painters drop cloth
- Masking Tape
- Citrisurf 2310 Spray Gel Passivation Cleaner
- Fresh Lemon Juice (If Necessary)
- Bar Keeper’s Friend Soft Cleanser (If Necessary)
- Nitric Acid (If Necessary)
- Naval Jelly (If Necessary)
- Maroon Scotchbrite Pads (If Necessary)
Instructions
- Use gloves and eye protection throughout this entire process. Chemicals used can damage skin and eyes.
- Using the masking tape and plastic drop cloth, cover the surrounding wall and anywhere you do not want to get chemicals for this process.
- Follow “Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Products” instructions.
- Mix water and baking soda to a thick paste.
- Rub baking soda paste onto rust spots and rub while keeping moist with water. This process of rust removal may take some time and effort. If rust persists, see instruction below for extra stubborn spots.
- Wash baking soda solution off of stainless steel thoroughly.
- When the product is dry and clean, apply Citrisurf 2310 passivation gel to the stainless steel product. Apply clear plastic painters drop cloth over the passivation gel to keep it wet for 30 minutes. Do not let the passivation gel dry on the product. You can lift the plastic and spray water on the gel and stainless steel, if necessary.
- Repeat Step 7, if corrosion was severe to ensure a passive surface.
For extra stubborn spots that baking soda paste is not removing present surface rust, you may try the follow (in order of aggressiveness):
- Make baking soda paste with lemon juice, instead of water and follow instructions above.
- Make a paste with Bar Keeper’s Friend Soft Cleanser and follow instructions above.
- Dilute Nitric Acid to a 10-15% concentration with water. Wearing gloves, vapor and eye protection, apply and rub with a soft cloth and rinse thoroughly with fresh water and dry.
- Apply Naval Jelly as advised on the instruction label.
- Remove with maroon Scotchbrite pads. While this will always work, re-passivation is necessary and may need to be repeated due to the damage to the passive layer.
Note: It’s advisable to not use any materials with stainless steel or mild steel in the rust removal and re-passivation process, as they can contaminate the base material.
If undesired rust or deposits continue to develop at a rate that is less than ideal, please contact us for more information on applied coating solutions.
Phone: (888) 702-2558
Email: hello@majesticwaterspouts.com
