Got a call today for some rust removal from stone surfaces around a pool area. They are having a wedding there in a couple weeks and need the rust removed and their deck area washed. The deck is Trex composite decking that looks like it was built yesterday. Pretty clean for the most part. Some dirty water stains on it in a couple spots. Someone cleaned a spot on one of the stones with miracle acidic cleaner. It looks to have done a good job, but she was told to not get it on the grass. She was told that iron out was safe,and she said she had some and was going to try it later. What would be the best way to clean the rust from the stone surfaces, and also some spots on the sidewalks without killing the grass before their wedding. I’ve never done any kind of large scale rust removal, and am not sure I want to learn on this million dollar property. Is it a fairly simple task or should I walk away from it.
It isn’t easy but look into F9 Barc. Oxalic acid as well.
Thanks for responding. I know everyone uses oxalic, f9, RR+, etc. I guess I’m just looking for the safest method to not kill anything before their wedding. The safest way is probably not doing it at all.
Dilution is the solution. Wet everything before and during. And don’t intentionally spray the grass.
The more I research I find people having multiple issues when removing rust. Killing grass, leaving white spots, etc. If it were a stain or two in their driveway I wouldn’t be too concerned, but it’s about 4500 sf of high dollar surfaces. Rust removal seems to be more of a niche service that I don’t need to pursue at this point. I have enough headaches as it is. As bad as I would like to have them as clients, I don’t think I’m ready to experiment on this particular property. A rust spot on siding from a leaky faucet is probably where I should start. If I get into rust removal at all that is.
Rust removal is no big deal. I do miles and miles of it every year. I’ve never had it damaged grass. I typically put one 50lbs bag of OX in 200 gallons of water. You can make it much stronger but I find this ratio works just fine.
How far does 200 gallons get you.
Between one and two miles of sidewalks depending on how bad they are . For a house you probably won’t use 10 gallons. It’s good stuff to have with you . You can mixup only what you need and store the rest in a dry area. It’s shelf live is pretty much forever
@roofer stick with your gut feeling.
You direct applying it or downstreaming it?
Direct. Never had much luck down streaming it even at super concentrated
I was thinking rolling it or mopping it with a sponge mop to avoid over spray if that is possible. All of the rust is where it borders the grass. She said they have some iron curtain filter for their whole house thats supposed to filter iron from the water. She thinks the irrigation caused it when the filter was off or something along those lines. I’d bet its from yard fertilizer when they get their grass treated.
She was told that iron out was safe for grass. If it is, it probably doesn’t do anything to the iron.
That’s not necessarily true. It’s all a matter of dilution Like I said I never have problems
I’ve had some success with rust remover plus
Naval Jelly for getting rust off of composite decks. It’s only good for small areas though.
I like F9 barc
Thanks for all of the replies. I appreciate the help.
