FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[al kirky]

I see a lot of posts recommending Rust Away, which is an American product., for removing rust deposits on Quartz.
What is the equivalent in the UK ?

[James Catmur]

You can buy Rust Away in the UK (just search the internet). Do test it on a part of the specimen that does not matter as it may possibly 'eat' the crystals you want to keep.

[SteveB]

In Australia we have CLR (Calcium Lime Rust), available in supermarkets and hardware stores everywhere household cleaners are sold. Its marketed at removing water caused stains like rings in bath tubs, stains on concrete/brickwork from leaky taps. Works great on rocks of course for many chemical stains like that. Dont use on Calcite minerals and as with EVERY Chemical cleaner test first in diluted form in inconspicuous location on a mineral specimen since there is NO cleaning product that is certain to be safe on your specimen except for distilled (not tap) water. I think you’ll find something similar to CLR anywhere in the world as water stains are a universal first world problem (ie marketing opportunity). Its a liquid here and does work by soaking but also with scrubbing so use common sense when testing and be patient soaking over night or a whole week is what may be needed. And use an old tooth brush to gentle rub the effected areas. When testing with diluted form make sure to check reguilarly for bubbles forming on your specimen and if you use acid always always use outdoors, acid do evaporate into vapour form which will corrode any metals (even stainless steels) if you have opened containers indoors .

[al kirky]

Excellent ! Thanks folks.