Polishing stainless steel

[philmarks]

My boat has many stainless steel fittings which are brush finished - i.e. unpolished. Can anyone tell me how to obtain a mirror finish (I can't remove them and send them to a polisher). How do they do it? I've tried very fine carborundum paste, but doesn't get the gloss I'd like to see. Any ideas anyone?

 

[jimd]

Electro-polishing involves immersing the metal in a chemical mixture and passing an electric current through it. This corrodes the metal to leave the high polish usually seen on stainless. you are unlikely to achieve the affect any other way.

 

[Guest]

When I polish the dash pots on carburetters I use the animal fat stuff you put it on the wheel and polish to a high gloss.I know stainless is harder but you could try this .
If you cant take the parts off I'd try using an automotive mop with cutting compound say about grade 17 or medium grade. This will grind and get a reasonable finish .Word of caution though the risk of damage to the surrounding area is high so be careful to cover with gaffer tape or another form of heavy duty tape .
Woolworth's are apparently selling a polishing mop kit !!.
Mick

 

[Nikolai]

Sorry, if my reply won't help solving your problem, but I wonder why is the high quality of those surfaces so important to You?
I mean, if they are left unpolished, as I did on my boat, the salty stain is not so visible on them, and furthermore, the surface behaves better when not catching sunlight and reflecting it into Your eyes...

Nikolai, Moscow

 

[philmarks]

1. Nikolai - the surface goes rusty
2. Mtb - agreed; I found a web site English Custom Stainless Steel Polishing who describe how to polish with buffers abd abrasives
3. Jim d - thanks, see point 2.

 

[david_bagshaw]

The method I use is to first use some 1000 grade emery followed by the finest , I think 1400, any way it is so smooth one would feel it is a waste of time to use, followed by Farcla paste start with g4 then g10, as used by spray shops on a wool buff again using a prossesional buffing machine. I think you can hire then these days.

After a few min the shine is there !! every bit as good as the factory finish or better.

Also Autosolvosol, havnt spelt correctly, but commonly available is excellent on pad but more expensive, but quicker.


Be prepared to spend a lot of time to do it well.



David
www.yachtman.co.uk