Has anyone found a product or procedure for cleaning up the stainless on a sink or stove? I'm refurbishing the galley on my '83 C-36 and these are the only ugly things left. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks!
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Real bright, bright work
Feb.28,2001 Dear Dave, Two suggestions for cleaning up that sink and stove top: (1) copper, not steel style scouring pads and (2) FLITZ metal cleaning and polishing compound. I like to use my high speed polisher with the small pad attachment to really move things along. Short of sand blasting these two can really get the grit out. Fair winds, Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Feb.28,2001 Dear Dave, Two suggestions for cleaning up that sink and stove top: (1) copper, not steel style scouring pads and (2) FLITZ metal cleaning and polishing compound. I like to use my high speed polisher with the small pad attachment to really move things along. Short of sand blasting these two can really get the grit out. Fair winds, Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
after the cleaners don't do the job.
Dave: If you find that all of these cleaners don't quite do the job, I recommend that you take these pieces to a shop that specializes in metal polishing. They have these buffers that are used for this type of cleanup. They should be able to make them look like new. I'd get some prices from them before you begin too. A new sink is not very expensive (under $100) depending on what you have or want to replace it with.
Dave: If you find that all of these cleaners don't quite do the job, I recommend that you take these pieces to a shop that specializes in metal polishing. They have these buffers that are used for this type of cleanup. They should be able to make them look like new. I'd get some prices from them before you begin too. A new sink is not very expensive (under $100) depending on what you have or want to replace it with.
Stainless steel
Years ago I helped build custom cars with alot of stainless steel. We would use comet and scotch brite pads with a little water. The trick is to only rub in one direction, not circles. Straight strokes the length of the metal will cause nice striaght lines in the stainless steel. I have used this on home sinks and I think it is great and a cheap way to handle the problem without pulling anything out. This gives the metal the brushed look. Good Luck
Years ago I helped build custom cars with alot of stainless steel. We would use comet and scotch brite pads with a little water. The trick is to only rub in one direction, not circles. Straight strokes the length of the metal will cause nice striaght lines in the stainless steel. I have used this on home sinks and I think it is great and a cheap way to handle the problem without pulling anything out. This gives the metal the brushed look. Good Luck
Stainless news
Stainless to remain corrosion resistant goes through a process called passivation. This is basically a chemical etch that removes the contaminants on the surface of the metal from the manufacturing processes that if left will react chemically with the stainless and cause it to corrode. Stainless (correct name is corrosion resistant steel) is not totally inert it is just much less reactive than carbon steel or plain iron. Your trick is to remove any contaminants that if left in contact will cause corrosion. 3M makes a special stainless polish you might want to try. best of luck
Stainless to remain corrosion resistant goes through a process called passivation. This is basically a chemical etch that removes the contaminants on the surface of the metal from the manufacturing processes that if left will react chemically with the stainless and cause it to corrode. Stainless (correct name is corrosion resistant steel) is not totally inert it is just much less reactive than carbon steel or plain iron. Your trick is to remove any contaminants that if left in contact will cause corrosion. 3M makes a special stainless polish you might want to try. best of luck
Preventive Maintenance
We all know that production boat sinks aren't the highest grade of stainless steel. So each winter when I lay up the boat, one of the very last things I do before saying "goodnight" to the boat for the winter is to coat the s/s sinks with Murphy's Oil soap (or the like). This seals the steel from the elements and makes for easy cleanup in the spring. And they always seem to end up looking like new. Now don't any of you folks send this to "Things that Work" in SAIL magazine
We all know that production boat sinks aren't the highest grade of stainless steel. So each winter when I lay up the boat, one of the very last things I do before saying "goodnight" to the boat for the winter is to coat the s/s sinks with Murphy's Oil soap (or the like). This seals the steel from the elements and makes for easy cleanup in the spring. And they always seem to end up looking like new. Now don't any of you folks send this to "Things that Work" in SAIL magazine
Flitz
I would have to second the recommendation for Flitz or 3M Marine Metal Polish. I haven't tried their Stainless polish but would image it would work well too. Are you looking at pitted surfaces? If there's any rust, you'll want to get rid of that first. Boeshield makes a GREAT rust remover for stainless. It really worked great on the stanchions. I would lay money that if you used that and then polished with Flitz, you'd be pretty good to go for a while. LaDonna
I would have to second the recommendation for Flitz or 3M Marine Metal Polish. I haven't tried their Stainless polish but would image it would work well too. Are you looking at pitted surfaces? If there's any rust, you'll want to get rid of that first. Boeshield makes a GREAT rust remover for stainless. It really worked great on the stanchions. I would lay money that if you used that and then polished with Flitz, you'd be pretty good to go for a while. LaDonna
Ugly Sinks
Dave, I just did my sinks and used a product call AUTOSOL. Comes in a tube like toothpaste. AUTOSOL, a clean rag, a long boring movie and lots of elbow grease. My sinks were in pretty bad shape. I took them to a plating shop and they were going to charge me $45.00 for a shinny top and buffed finish inside per sink. I thought for 90 bucks I could do it myself and was very pleased with the outcome. It really didn't take that long, about 45 minutes a sink. I used the 90 bucks I'd saved to buy a new set of taps, it looks great now. Ron
Dave, I just did my sinks and used a product call AUTOSOL. Comes in a tube like toothpaste. AUTOSOL, a clean rag, a long boring movie and lots of elbow grease. My sinks were in pretty bad shape. I took them to a plating shop and they were going to charge me $45.00 for a shinny top and buffed finish inside per sink. I thought for 90 bucks I could do it myself and was very pleased with the outcome. It really didn't take that long, about 45 minutes a sink. I used the 90 bucks I'd saved to buy a new set of taps, it looks great now. Ron
Polishing stainless
I had good luck with "Wicknox" sold through the West Marine Catalogue. Did a great job on my stanctions and BBQ. Good luck
I had good luck with "Wicknox" sold through the West Marine Catalogue. Did a great job on my stanctions and BBQ. Good luck
BAR KEEPERS FRIEND
I can't belive no one has mentioned Bar Keeper's Friend! It is a cleaner that is sold in grocery stores. Much like a cleanser, but not nearly as abrasive. It removes rust from chrome & stainless. There is a chemical reaction that eliminates oxidation. It is gentle enough and it does not scratch, yet it cleans nearly everything. Oh yeah the price? About $1.67 plus tax. I will admit, the can has only lasted me about 2 1/2 years! Give it a shot!
I can't belive no one has mentioned Bar Keeper's Friend! It is a cleaner that is sold in grocery stores. Much like a cleanser, but not nearly as abrasive. It removes rust from chrome & stainless. There is a chemical reaction that eliminates oxidation. It is gentle enough and it does not scratch, yet it cleans nearly everything. Oh yeah the price? About $1.67 plus tax. I will admit, the can has only lasted me about 2 1/2 years! Give it a shot!
Thankyou ALL!
I've a lot of things to try and plan to start this weekend. I'll probably start with Bar Keeper's Friend, though it doesn't seem to last very long for the money! Maybe a not-so-boring movie would help too. Thanks again!
I've a lot of things to try and plan to start this weekend. I'll probably start with Bar Keeper's Friend, though it doesn't seem to last very long for the money! Maybe a not-so-boring movie would help too. Thanks again!
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