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Rust removal from clawfoot tub

Q. Situation: Rusty old clawfoot tub.
Need: Remove heavy rust.
Question: How? Muriatic acid?

David Rhea Ballard
- Spring Hill, Tennessee
2007

A. Try 5% ammonium citrate solution (50 gm citric acid ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , 1 lit water + some ammonia, pH must be 3,5)! Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2007

A. I suggest phosphoric acid:
No fumes. Available in jelled form for brush-on application.
Better pretreatment for painting � leaves a thin coating of iron phosphate.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California

Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2007

A. The product that Ken is talking about is sold as naval jelly ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] in most big box and hardware stores.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007

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