Unfortunately, the longer it goes unnoticed — and the longer the offending object sheds iron oxide — the more time rust particles have to penetrate the surface. The depth to which the stain ...

Rust stains on wood decking may be tough to deal with because the iron oxide that stems from the corrosion process can seep deep into the fibers of the wood and require aggressive cleaning methods.

Caption Iron oxides stain the bed of Upper East Mancos River in southwestern Colorado, an alpine stream affected by acid rock drainage. Concentrations of zinc, copper and sulfate have doubled in ...