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• PRO

  Phil Voice March 16, 2009 at 6:06pm

  Hi Richard
  
  Sulphate of Iron is such a difficult product to administer isn't it. I have no idea if the chemical will remain active and eat into the zinc coating (my guess would be that if you washed it off thoroughly quiet soon after application then you will certainly reduce any rate of corrosion).
  
  As far as staining is concerned - I have stained tarmac in the past and I do not recall that the stain came off.
  
  Hopefully, someone with direct experience of your problem will have a solution for you.
  
  Regards
  
  
  Phil
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  steve loftus March 16, 2009 at 6:33pm

  GOOGLED THIS,MAYBE OF SOME USE
  http://www.pavingexpert.com/stains.htm
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  Richard Lilley March 16, 2009 at 6:42pm

  I like the idea of using vinegar or fresh lemon juice because I can see the value of a weak acid working on the rust stain. I can't see how the stain equates to being actually rust and corroding galvanised steel or am I being simple here. My chemistry isn't up to much but a stain is not the same as rusted metal is it?
  Thanks for the link though.
  Phil - I absolutely hate Iron Sulphate as it is a swine to spray consistently under pressure and it gets everywhere. Can the EU ban this chemical and leave me carbendazim please!
• PRO

  Phil Voice March 16, 2009 at 6:47pm

  A good point about vinegar.
  
  It is worth noting that it will also help sterilise a spraying applicator too.
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  Bigyin March 16, 2009 at 10:19pm

  Excuse my ignorance Richard (not being a landscaper) but what are you using the iron sulphate for ? I use it to get rid of snails round my olive and fruit trees and it stains the surrounding earth but the colouration dissapears after rain. I would be surprised if it actually attacks the galvanising but if it helps at all, I have some scrap galvanised steel and I'll experiment with it if you like and let you know the results.
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  Graeme @ BGS March 16, 2009 at 10:20pm

  Not tried this myself but someone I know swears by using plumbing flux (if that's how you spell it). Its the stuff you use on copper pipes before joining and soldering - apparently cleans copper and other similar materials a treat.
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  Graeme @ BGS March 16, 2009 at 10:22pm

  Bigyin said:

  Excuse my ignorance Richard (not being a landscaper) but what are you using the iron sulphate for ? I use it to get rid of snails round my olive and fruit trees and it stains the surrounding earth but the colouration dissapears after rain. I would be surprised if it actually attacks the galvanising but if it helps at all, I have some scrap galvanised steel and I'll experiment with it if you like and let you know the results.

  
  I would assume for moss treatment. Kills it dead in next to no time.
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  Richard Lilley March 20, 2009 at 5:57pm

  TO BGS who gave me the idea of using plumbers flux and everyone else who chipped in with suggestions; I used plumbers flux and 0000 wire wool (the finest you can get) and it worked a treat. Mind you, the flux needs about 10 minutes on the stain and then with spit and a lot of elbow grease, the stain disappears. The fine wire wool is needed as a normal cloth doesn't hack it and the spit and polish was just me reverting to my old Army days! I knew that bull would come in handy sometime!
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  Graeme @ BGS March 20, 2009 at 6:08pm

  plumbers flux is amazing stuff - I was a tad worried it may of had an adverse affect on galvanised steel but glad it worked. Perhaps we should all keep some with our spray kit :-)