# Removing rust from a stainless steel radiator

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rust-from-a-stainless-steel-radiator/514644>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 21, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rust-from-a-stainless-steel-radiator/514644 "2009-10-21T18:18:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rust-from-a-stainless-steel-radiator/514644/1 "2009-10-21T18:18:11Z")

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Well, so much for ‘stainless’ steel, I’ve just moved into a new flat where there’s a weird design statement in the bathroom - a big coil shaped stainless steel radiator. Putting its aesthetics aside, it’s got rust patches and some staining that looks like it could be limescale (which wouldn’t be unusual around here - London has very hard water).

So, how best to clean it up? I’ve done a bit of googling on rust removal and have read suggestions for everything from WD40 to something called CLR (which I presume is American as I haven’t heard of it) through to coca cola.

So what’s the Dope? Removal of the hideous radiator isn’t an option sadly as the flat is rented.

Thanking you in advance

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**Author:** ![pan1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-rust-from-a-stainless-steel-radiator/514644/2 "2009-10-21T18:22:52Z")

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I wouldn’t use CLR to remove rust.

I’d just use steel wool.