Polishing stainless steel - how to?

[bob26]

Can anyone give me any hints on polishing stainless steel from its basic form...how it comes from the mill?

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[Johnjo]

Bob there was a thread recently on mobo chat that might help !

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=mby&Number=428118&page=&view=&sb=&o=&part=all&vc=1>http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=mby&Number=428118&page=&view=&sb=&o=&part=all&vc=1</A>

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[bob26]

Thanks Mike - that's very helpful

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[gibbo26]

Hi looked at the thread listed, a little bit of dissinformation.
I deal with stainless quite often, here is a breif overview.
pickle paste - removes discolouration on welds and will help prevent them rusting
electro polishing - in efect REVERSE electroplating, strips metal off the stainless leaving more cromium on the surface hence stays brighter for longer, but if it is not smooth it will not give a bright finish.
best approach, pickle as soon as possible after welding, polish up as much as possible using powertools decreasing grit size as you go, then get it electropolished for that extra sparkle.
Good luck

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