polishing stainless steel or other metal

ArchAnGeL · 4 Aug 2006 at 22:37

I have just folded myself a nice box for my prommie out of soem reclaimed stainless steel (I think).

However, it's pretty ,much scruufed and scratched up so how do I go about polishing it back to a nice finish?

ArchAnGeL · 4 Aug 2006 at 22:54

current state

Messiah Khan · 4 Aug 2006 at 22:55

Sandpaper, then finer sandpaper, then even finer sandpaper, then polishing compund. Combine all the stages with a lot of elbow grease!

Yewen · 4 Aug 2006 at 22:59

The polishing compound will really bring it out.

If you need to find some, you could always buy a few dozen heatsink lapping kits and then just use them all!

ArchAnGeL · 4 Aug 2006 at 23:00

no tools available then?

Raikiri · 4 Aug 2006 at 23:07

ArchAnGeL said:
no tools available then?

http://www.shop-com.co.uk/op/~BLACK_DECKER_Mouse_Sander_KA161K-prod-22021286-29877787?sourceid=309

One of these I guess if they can be used for it (might need wet and dry sand paper) in which case just get a sanding block. Also a buffer for the polish.

ArchAnGeL · 4 Aug 2006 at 23:12

I've got a similar hand sander and a larger one. So basically varying degrees of sandpaper on one of them? Can anyone give me an indication of grades please?

Messiah Khan · 4 Aug 2006 at 23:44

ArchAnGeL said:
I've got a similar hand sander and a larger one. So basically varying degrees of sandpaper on one of them? Can anyone give me an indication of grades please?

Depends on how deep the scratches are, but I normally work from 150ish right down to 1200/1500, the start on the polishing compund. To save a lot of work, a belt sander or similar might work, however IMO rotary(as in working in circular patterns) sanders don't do a very good job.

gr1mey · 5 Aug 2006 at 08:02

HLCCL = WIN

borrow someones small angle grinder, you can get scratch pads for them, obviously use a fine grade one, go over with that to knock the worst off, then tart it up by hand, probably from 800g up to 1200g - then use a buffer attachment on the grinder to polish it up, obviously buy a polishing product

alexakasloth · 5 Aug 2006 at 08:42

I thought you had to use wetndry on metal instead of sandpaper?

gr1mey · 5 Aug 2006 at 09:41

yeah, you do - surely that goes without saying...?

anyway dont think you can get 1200g sandpaper :confused:

Graffix · 5 Aug 2006 at 13:25

Of course you can! i have about 50 sheets of it in my garage

, anyways to polish i just work up through all the grades of wet'n'dry and then finish it off with a polishing compound. Oooooohhhh i love shiny stuff its soo preddy...

Edit: i thought you was reffering to wet'n'dry and not sandpaper. in that case i think your right as i dont see any point of sandpaper going that fine. sorry

ArchAnGeL · 5 Aug 2006 at 14:30

gr1mey said:
borrow someones small angle grinder, you can get scratch pads for them, obviously use a fine grade one, go over with that to knock the worst off, then tart it up by hand, probably from 800g up to 1200g - then use a buffer attachment on the grinder to polish it up, obviously buy a polishing product

HLCCL m8?

Mark A · 5 Aug 2006 at 15:17

You can get sand paper (aluminium oxide, Silicon Carbide, Ceramic) very fine but i dont think it goes that fine. The main difference with wet and dry is the backing and adhesive is water resistant and its closed coat so make sure you get the right stuff. Also make sure you use a sanding block if you do it by hand so you get it nice and flat.