Marble Rust Stain

by Paula
(Fenton, Michigan)

QUESTION:

I had a metal candle holder on the countertop and it got water under it. Before I moved the candle holder it made a rust ring. How can I remove this rust ring?

ANSWER:

You'll have to make and apply a poultice (probably several times) to remove a marble rust stain.

A poultice is a paste that chemically acts on the stain and then draws out the staining substance. Making a poultice is easy, but the type of stain you have determines the ingredients of your poultice.

For a rust stain, the key ingredient is: Iron Out

Making A Poultice

Buy "Iron Out" at your local hardware store and some baby powder or diatomaceous earth (pool filter powder).

Follow the Iron Out instructions for making a solution (if necessary).

Then, mix Iron Out and powder into a paste the consistency of peanut butter.

Using a wooden/plastic spatula, apply the poultice to the rust stain on the marble about 1/2 inch thick with a 1/4 inch border.

Cover the poultice with plastic wrap and seal edges with masking tape.

Let the poultice sit for 24 hours then take the plastic wrap off, but don't touch the poultice. You must let it dry out completely... this is when the rust is being drawn out of the marble.

When poultice is completely dry, scrape off with the wooden/plastic spatula and clean. Hopefully the stain is gone, but rust stains are difficult, so you may have to repeat the process until it is gone.

The Iron Out (and most rust removers) is acidic, so you may notice some etching (dullness) where you used the poultice. Can't be helped.

If so, buy a marble polishing powder and work the area until you restore the shine.

Good Luck,
Ryan