Cleaning stainless steel - soaking?

[Tim Good]

I'm replacing my guard rails and want to clean all the lanyard eyes and other reusable stainless bits. Other than sitting there with a toothbrush and stainless cleaner, is there anything I can soak it in to bring it up sparkling with minimal effort?

Diesel, oxalic acid, vinegar?

 

[rogerthebodger]

I'm replacing my guard rails and want to clean all the lanyard eyes and other reusable stainless bits. Other than sitting there with a toothbrush and stainless cleaner, is there anything I can soak it in to bring it up sparkling with minimal effort?

Diesel, oxalic acid, vinegar?

The easiest way is to get then electro polished but this is not a DIY operation. After I have done some TIG welding I have used a weld clearing solution but the item will need hand polishing afterwards.

This list may help to locate an electro polisher in your area.

http://www.countyindustry.co.uk/indexkeyword.php?Electropolishing Stainless Steel

oxalic acid will remove any rusting but will remove any polishing with repeated usage again needing polishing.

I use a car body rubbing compound to keep all my boat stainless shiney.

 

[RichardS]

I'm replacing my guard rails and want to clean all the lanyard eyes and other reusable stainless bits. Other than sitting there with a toothbrush and stainless cleaner, is there anything I can soak it in to bring it up sparkling with minimal effort?

Diesel, oxalic acid, vinegar?

I bought a litre of stainless cleaner which you just paint on with a brush and wash off after 30 minutes or so - although I usually leave it overnight.

Works well as I bought it after a forum recommendation.

Can't remember the exact name but will look it up if you can't find it.

Richard

 

[Trundlebug]

Cillit Bang cleans stainless really well

 

[MoodySabre]

This is the stuff http://superstainless.net/

 

[Concerto]

I recently tried Spotless Stainless (http://www.piratescave.co.uk/?searchStr=spotless+stainless) and found it worked well. There are several other brands on the market Like http://www.rochemarine.co.uk/spotless-stainless-1/. They are all based on a citric acid mixture and will remove virtually all of the discolouration.

 

[vyv_cox]

Chemical methods may remove deposits but they tend to etch the base metal and definitely do nothing to improve any micro porosity that may be there. Conversely, abrasive methods tend to close porosity and are a recognised method of reducing the contact staining that marks drawn components such as rigging wire. We use Cream Cleaner, which is just as effective as the purpose made products at a fraction of the price.

 

[RichardS]

This is the stuff http://superstainless.net/

I recently tried Spotless Stainless (http://www.piratescave.co.uk/?searchStr=spotless+stainless) and found it worked well. There are several other brands on the market Like http://www.rochemarine.co.uk/spotless-stainless-1/. They are all based on a citric acid mixture and will remove virtually all of the discolouration.

Yep - Super Stainless as linked by both of these guys is the stuff I was talking about! :encouragement:

Richard

 

[johnalison]

Elbow grease and a proprietory metal polish would be my choice.

 

[ghostlymoron]

What sort of staining is it?
We used pickling paste for cleaning up SS welds. This removes rust marks.
Other types of grot should respond to cillit bang or other household cleaning product as described by others. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/261831179489limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=t&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fipn%253Dicep%2526icep_id%253D67%2526mtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D50600204586_563391%2526icep_item_id%253D261831179489%2526itemid%253D261831179489%2526icep_meta_categ_id%253D12576%2526icep_etrs%253DY%2526icep_epid%253D-999%2526icep_ctlg%253D-999%2526icep_cond%253DNew%2526targetid%253D75951449946%2526rlsatarget%253D%2526rpc%253D0.16%2526rpc_upld_id%253D49980%2526device%253Dt%2526icep_msku_flag%253Dn%2526icep_cbt%253Dn%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526gclid%253DCLan9tbx4sUCFWmx2wodRqMAWA%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D837597070703

 

[tudorsailor]

I vote for Spotless Stainless. Brilliant stuff

TS

 

[Kevin26]

+ 1 great stuff and very easy to use

 

[Bobc]

I vote for Spotless Stainless. Brilliant stuff

TS

+1

 

[Tim Good]

Thanks for this guys. Just as a bit of an update. I costed up new guard rails and replacing all the M8 lanyard eyes and pelican hooks was expensive even online.

I was planning to keep them and clean them, hence the original post. However, I just got a quote from Traditional Rigging in Bristol and they charge out all the hardware at cost it seems. The total cost of 5mm wires, and new everything cheaper than doing it in 4mm online via Jimmy Green and keeping the old bits. Plus Traditional Rigging is renowned to be very good.

Just thought I would throw that in there. I'll let you know if the end result is as good as I'm hoping. Due to collect it all next week.