Stainless steel is known for its clean, sleek look, which adds a contemporary feel to any kitchen or outdoor area. While this metal is quite durable, it’s not completely resistant to scratches. Even a tiny scratch on your stainless steel can distract from its luster, but fortunately, most scratches can be easily sanded out. Tampa Steel & Supply is here to show you how to get your stainless steel back in pristine shape!
How to Sand Stainless Steel in 5 Steps
First, it should be noted that this technique only works on plain, uncoated stainless steel. To find out if your stainless steel is coated or not, do the fingerprint test. If it prints easily, your steel is probably uncoated.
The key to sanding out a scratch is to start with the scratch and then blend it into the surrounding area.
Materials
Before you begin, you’ll need these supplies. You may also buy a stainless steel sanding kit that will come with everything you need.
- 400 to 600-grit sandpaper or an abrasive pad
- Sanding block
- Sanding fluid
Directions
Step 1. Apply sanding fluid to the area.
Step 2. Determine the direction of the grain and begin by sanding in that direction only — don’t sand against the grain and do not sand up and down.
Step 3. Start with the finest grit sandpaper you have and if that doesn’t work within a few minutes, move on to a coarser grain.
Step 4. When the scratch disappears, sand the rest of the panel to blend in with the sanded down area.
Step 5. When finished, apply a stainless steel polish or cleaner to the appliance.
It may take some practice to master the sanding technique, so if possible, practice on an inconspicuous area of the appliance.
Want to learn more tips and tricks to keep your stainless steel in pristine condition?
Check out our blog: How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
Sand Stainless Steel With Tampa Steel and Supply
When the scratch is gone, it’s time to apply a coat of FOZZ cleaner, which also works well as a metal primer and rust inhibitor. At Tampa Steel & Supply we proudly carry a full stock of FOZZ products and other fabrication accessories to keep all your metal looking great. By using FOZZ cleaner on your stainless steel from the very beginning, you can help prevent scratches from ever occurring in the first place! Contact us today to learn more, or visit our showroom to browse our vast inventory selection of quality metal and steel.
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