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Rust Removal from Stainless Steel

How to remove rust from Stainless Steel

How to remove rust from stainless steel, and then prepare for coating with ProtectaClear.

It is a misconception that stainless steel is stainless. Stainless steel will degrade like all other architectural metals. The term “stainless” implies a resistance to staining, rusting and pitting. Stainless steel generally has a higher resistance to the effects of exposure but can still be affected by the elements. 

Step 1  Clean off the Rust and Tea staining

Highly polished Stainless steel

ERW-XL Stainless Steel Rust Remover Cleaner will clean rust off highly polished and brushed stainless steel.  Paint it On, Let it Work, Rinse it off.

Brushed Stainless steel

ERW-XL Stainless Steel Rust Remover Cleaner will clean rust off brushed stainless steel.

Brushed stainless steel can also be cleaned manually with synthetic steel wool pads or very fine sand paper.

Do NOT use real steel wool or it can cause even more rust.  A no-scratch cleanser like Jiff can also be used but it is more messy. If you use an abrasive, make sure to clean WITH the grain. Only use abrasives or cleansers on brush finished stainless steel. 

Once cleaned you can protect the stainless steel from rusting by coating with ProtectaClear®   Follow Steps 2, 3 and 4 below.

Step 2  Neutralise with EZPrep 

When an acid based cleaner has been used to remove rust, the surface must be neutralized.

ERW-XL Stainless Steel Rust Remover is acid based as are most stainless steel cleaners. Pickling is also an acid process. Passivation or neutralizing is a very important step. Neutralizing can be done with our EZPrep neutralizer or with baking soda and water. Rinse well afterwards.

Step 3  Solvent Wipe

The final step to preparing stainless steel before application of ProtectaClear® is to wipe it down with a clean solvent like xylene or denatured alcohol. (meths)

Step 4  Coat with ProtectaClear

Apply the coating by following the instructions.

Full instructions Link to printable copy

BRUSHED Stainless Steel

Rust removed, cleaned and coated

Badly tea stained brushed stainless steel balcony fittings at an Apartment at the Hampton Downs  Race Track. These were cleaned with ERW-XL Stainless Steel Rust Remover and then coated with ProtectaClear®

Stainless steel at Hampton Downs Raceway is protected with ProtectaClear Coating

HIGHLY POLISHED Stainless Steel

Rust removed, cleaned and coated

Badly tea stained highly polished stainless steel banisters at an Apartment at the Hampton Downs  Race Track. These were cleaned with ERW-XL Stainless Steel Rust Remover and then coated with ProtectaClear®

Before and After of stainless bannister cleaned and then coated with ProtectaClear