How to clean this rust? Need new screw?

[Esand323]

Hi all,

How can I clean this rust off? Also, it looks like the person I contracted last year to install a new liner put in a different screw at the top than what is under water. The ones under water are flat, while the one up top is more round. Do I need to replace that? I'm sure it's easier, but I'm super nervous about taking it out and having it move or something.

 

[ajw22]

Someone did not use the correct stainless steel screw. I would not mess with it until the next liner replacement.

@jimmythegreek can this screw be replaced without access to the nut plate behind it?

 

[jimmythegreek]

All depends. It's one of 2 things. Either the original was lost amd this was a bad replacement. Or that one was stripped and this was slightly larger and what was on hand. Theres just plastic back there they are sheetmetal type screws. Remove it carefully amd match it up to an oval head sheetmetal screw of same size not bigher

 

[Esand323]

Thanks, @jimmythegreek and @ajw22! Is there any concern if I just treat the staining and leave the screw for now? I can just leave it until the next liner replacement. I'd just be more concerned if it were to be come so corroded it can't come out, or something similar. FYI, the screw is only a year old and it looks like this.

 

[sktn77a]

You can clean off the rust stains on the screw and skimmer with a little CLR or ascorbic/citric acid in a small, wet, cloth baggie. Keep it up until you replace the screw with the correct stainless steel screw.

 

[jimmythegreek]

I would take it out asap. Its gonna rot in there and never come out at some point and be a problem

 

[Beantown843]

if you want to address the rust, buy a lemon at the grocery store, cut it into quarters, every other day go and rub a lemon quarter onto the rust area and walk away. After about a week of doing this the rust stain will start to fade away. But, if you keep the screw in, I suspect that the rust will return from the source.

 

[Henry M]

Have similar rust issue, as I hope the attached photos illustrate. The stainless steel ladder & steps are the original (pool built in 1977). Naval jelly removed the rust from the top step and the bolts. Should I coat the step with some sort of rust preventive solution before reattaching it? I've no problem removing each step & using naval jelly, but is there a better way? Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks very much.