few rust stains on new polish concrete..help

[PT91]

I have a few rust stains on our new polished concrete floors from nails left during the framing stage.
What is the safest way to remove. Seems like acids hv the risk of whitening the spots.
Do the organics work in a safer manner?
I will be posting pics once we move in around 7-11. Hv been working on the 4 cars garage/house for 16 months. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[AlphaGarage]

Try vinegar, if that doesn't work move up to TSP, if that fails you can try muriatic acid. Of course try these in an inconspicuous spot first, and with the TSP and diluted muriatic acid be sure to read package instructions and warnings. And do neutralize the muriatic acid wash before rinsing it off.

16 months? Must feel great to be approaching the finish line!

 

[WolverineCoatings]

If all else fails... try RestoraClean 988...

 

[PT91]

thank you. a friend said to try vinegar as well. What is TSP?

 

[PT91]

 

[lilredex]

Try Oxalic acid (wood bleach)............muratic should be your last choice.

http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/oxalic_acid.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalic_acid

 

[XR80David]

That's polished concrete? You should ask the company that did the work how to remove the rust.

 

[Jaguar Fan]

thank you. a friend said to try vinegar as well. What is TSP?

TSP is Tri-Sodium Phosphate, a strong degreaser & cleaner. You might find it in the paint section of Home Depot (it is frequently used on walls prior to hanging wallpaper) or if not then in the cleaning section.

Vinegar, of course, is a weak acid.

I've been unsuccessful in removing rust stains from concrete using a number of weak acids. I have stamped, multi-colored concrete, and the weak acids do of course etch the concrete, but in my case the rust stains seem to have penetrated deep enough into the concrete that, after using rust removers, it just made the appearance worse.

You may end up needing to grind the rust stains out & then repolish the surface to the sheen you're looking for. If that's the case, then you don't have much to lose by trying any number of weak acids or other cleaners.

After you try some of the suggestions here, can you post some pictures of the results?

Thanks

 

[PT91]

That's polished concrete? You should ask the company that did the work how to remove the rust.

what you see in this pic is saw dust, not rust. the rust is on the first floor living area. the first stages of polishing was done before the roof was one so nails rusted after rains.

i will give the suggestions a try. tks.