I fought my counter and the counter won.

Well, I'm trying to get my place cleaned up because I want to move. So as I'm cleaning I notice some rust on my formica countertop next to the kitchen sink. Aww crap, I think, I must have left a wet cookie sheet or something there for too long and it rusted up.

I promptly turned to the internet to figure out to get rid of it and every single trick or product I tried didn't work. http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lotzasmilies/dry.gif A few days later, I bought a toilet cleaner that says it removes rust and I thought "hmmmmmm, I know it's for toilets but I wonder if I this will work on the counter?" So I pour a little bit on and let it sit for a few minutes. I come back and to my amazement the rust is gone! Hahaha, I beat you counter :celebrate but my celebration was very much short lived as I noticed when I started wiping down the counter that although all of the nasty rust was gone it was replaced by a blue stain from the cleaner!! doh! http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lotzasmilies/doh.gif

Not to be thwarted by a silly counter top, I set out to get rid of that nasty blue stain. I saw someone comment that a Magic Eraser removed fruit punch from her formica counter top, it just took a little elbow grease. So I went and got me one of them fancy Magic Erasers and started scrubbing! I was pleased to see the blue stain disappearing before my eyes! I did a little cheer in my head and wiped off the counter and walked away, this was at night time. In the morning, when I walked by the counter to admire my handiwork and gloat over the fact I had beat these stubborn counter top stains, I noticed that all the places I had scrubbed are now shades LIGHTER than the rest of the counter. I fought the counter top and the counter top won :cry

 

Try baking soda next time, Dy.

 

Double bonus!

The countertop is sparkly clean!

You learned what formica won't hold up to and you got to learn it on someone else's countertop.

 

Baking powder works, but Borax is better, i.m.o. You can use Borax and lemon juice on rust stains:-

http://www.diylife.com/2010/08/12/25-household-uses-for-borax/

{Okay, so it's a bit late, now - but for future reference..}

 

I find that the best thing that really works on any rust is this toilet cleaner

Its called

The Works and it really does work i cleaned my bath tub with it that CLR is junk don't waste your money on it.CLR does shit.

I got hard iron water.

 

I didn't try baking soda, no one listed it as one of the options! LOL I tried vinegar, CLR (which I agree Goldenskull, it did absolutely nothing), dish detergent, lemon juice, sooo many things but none of them worked!! I knew I should have came here first and asked but I didn't think it would escalate this far. :-D

handygal, I wish that were true. The only problem is now, my landlord will probably keep my deposit because I don't think it can be fixed and no gloozit, I am not going to replace it myself, it probably cost more then my deposit is

Thanks for the link, Phantom, next time I get messy I'll know what to do LOL

 

The problem isn't that those spots are lighter, but the untouched spots are darker. It's all in how you look at it (all puns intended).LOL

 

As fare as i know

The Works

Does not leave any blue stains.

The Works

Eats rust for lunch and dinner and works in about a min.:-D

All so depends on the rust stain i guess.

Easypeasy yep and easy

 

Well...I do understand how much it sucks. BUT...you have just saved me endless heartache and effort! My mother, bless her heart, soaked one of my cast iron skillets in the sink, and then set it on our white formica countertop. I've got a beautiful rust ring I was going to work on next week. Now I go in with knowledge! :-D

 

Hmm, interesting product. How does it work on metal?:cool

 

Be aware that 'The Works' main active ingredient is 20% Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), which is why it is effective against rust, or anything metallic, or lime deposits. Which means that you would be putting 20% HCl onto your desktop - I wouldn't advise that, i.m.o. Dilute Hydrochloric acid is fine in the toilet or bath, but laminated surfaces - you may get bleaching/running of colors, so test on a small, obscure surface, first.

'CLR' is primarily dilute Phosphoric acid and is okay for lime removal and SOME metals., but is basically over-priced rubbish, i.m.o.

You can do most of these stain removals with Borax powder, baking soda, (Sodium Bicarbonate) and diatomaceous earth, (basically, a very fine abrasive) and a dash of (white)vinegar.

 

Circular saws are also extremely effective at removing stains of all manner. Chainsaws usually just exacerbate the issue.

 

I am looking at removing rust on a metallic surface that is not easily sanded.

 

Would Electrolysis or Evaporust work? What is the surface working on?

 

It's like a Acid Base hydrogen chloride No Bad Smell like most Acid base cleaners give.

The tub i have is metal its a older style tub its rounded.Thing wights at like 400 pounds takes like 4 people too move it.

But if you use it on metal surface let it soak for like 5 mins then wipe it off.And then use like a wet towel and clean off the hydrogen chloride really well.so that you do not get sick from digesting the hydrogen chloride.

But the stuff works well.Like i said i have hard iron water where i live i have to have filters on my well line.Even with filters witch do not last long it will start to stain my toilet bowl after about a week.I have tried like CLR and that stuff does shit.It use to work but this newer formula is junk does shit.The Works toilet bowl cleaner is the best thing for rust on the toilet bowl and metal or plastic tubs even counters.I do not have a metal counter mine has tile on it.but it works on my metal bath tube gets rid of the bad stains.

Sorry if i sound like a commercial lol:-D

But the

The Works

Toilet bowl cleaner works well.I stand bye them 100%.Very few things out there take off hard iron stains and be leave me i tried them all.This is what i found that
really works.

If you do not have a store near you that sells it you can get The Works at like walmarts online store.http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Works-Toilet-Bowl-Cleaner-Disinfectant-28-fl-oz/15570946

http://www.amazon.com/Home-Care-32-Ounce-Toilet-Cleaner/dp/B000VM2QBI

Type in The Works in the walmart search engine.i provided a couple of links that sells it so you know what it looks like.

 

Ahh, well actually it is on a shotgun barrel. Got a used one at the pawn shop a while back, and did not notice the rust on the barrel under the vent rib. Tricky area to work on.

 

That Naval Jelly is pretty good stuff, eh Glooz! .

 

why is it I think it's a firearm that Eric is talking about????

 

I kinda clued you in here: "Ahh, well actually it is on a shotgun barrel."

:-D

 

I would consider a shotgun a "firearm" dang cajun

 

Ahhh, yes, would be a firearm. Scattergun if you wish. :confused

 

Humm, I wouldn't use Evaporust on a barrel. Evaporust would remove any bluing or black oxide coating. Electrolysis actually removes the rust. Google "Electrolysis Rust removal" Actually if the rust is not heavy white vinegar would work.

 

David, id bet that last post was spam

 

I've had that song in my head, too...except the version I'm hearing is by the Bobby Fuller Four. LOL