Date:         Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:56:24 -0800
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Washing the poptop
Comments: To: Rob <becida@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2011121914232550@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

If you can find oxalic acid crystals, 1/4 cup in 2 cups water or thereabouts, dab solution on stains and it will take the rust stain out. Be careful, oxalic acid is somewhat irritating/nasty.

One formulation of Barkeeper's friend has oxalic acid in it, and it is probably easier to use that. Has a scouring agent in it which will help.

alistair


On 2011-12-19, at 11:23 AM, Rob wrote:

> Work went from two 8 hour shifts to one 10 hr shift (4 days a week)
> and changed "40 hrs a week guaranteed" to "32 hrs a week guaranteed"
> , starting today. For years I'd been going to bed at 3 am, tomorrow I
> have to get up at 4 am.  <shrug> Life is full of changes.
> 
> I was up early today & thought I'd wash the bus. When I lived in the
> upper-midwest I'd go wash the bus any day it was above freezing just
> to get the salt off it, I don't have that motivation out here.
> The poptop was where I started. I usually don't notice how bad it
> looks until I put it up, I took the awning off to get that side of
> the top too.
> Half a bucket of water and a couple of good glugs of bleach, a step
> ladder & the car brush with the long handle. First I wet the top down
> with water and then I wet it all down with the bleach mixture off the
> brush. Set the timer for 10 min then wet it all down again with the
> brush (a little scrub too) & gave myself another 5 min on the timer.
> After the waiting I hosed it all down. Not bad, it's going to take
> more to get the inside of the luggage rack clean-clean but it looks a
> lot better.
> 
> The rust discoloration on the luggage rack from the tie downs &
> fasteners are going to be a problem.
> 
> I cleaned the bucket/brush, filled the bucket with car soap and did
> the rest of the bus. The wheels really needed it & most of it looks a
> lot better. The rear hatch needs something more, it looks like imbedded grease.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Rob
> 
> becida@comcast.net
> Western Washington State, USA