Is there a metallurgist in the board? I left some rags on top of my mirror finish stainless steel sink that I used to clean battery water (sulfuric acid) with and of course it reacted with the steel. *cry Do you think that this damage is superficial? How do I remove the residue and minimize the damage? A new sink could be as much as $500 *yks Thanks for your help. August
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You may be out of luck.
First of all, while I have a degree in Metallurgy, it has been 15+ years since I last worked in a lab. Sulfuric acid will attach 18/8 stainless. Even a small amount of acid will attack the grain boundaries and the material will develop a matte finish. In a lab, metallurgist use weak acids to see the microstructure under a microscope. So what can you try to do. 1. Always neutralizes with baking soda, then flush with plenty of water (not to hard to do in a sink) 2. It is unlikely that you can ever match the finish of the rest of the sink, however you can try. I would suggest you try scotch bright pads followed by various grades of automotive polish and lots of elbo grease. Do not use steel wool. Try in a very small area to see if it works, or makes it worse. Be careful. You would also take the sink out and take it to a body shop and have them buff it out. Stainless isn't STAINLESS. The oil in your fingers can discolor the surface, that was a big problem for the Deloreans. Russell
First of all, while I have a degree in Metallurgy, it has been 15+ years since I last worked in a lab. Sulfuric acid will attach 18/8 stainless. Even a small amount of acid will attack the grain boundaries and the material will develop a matte finish. In a lab, metallurgist use weak acids to see the microstructure under a microscope. So what can you try to do. 1. Always neutralizes with baking soda, then flush with plenty of water (not to hard to do in a sink) 2. It is unlikely that you can ever match the finish of the rest of the sink, however you can try. I would suggest you try scotch bright pads followed by various grades of automotive polish and lots of elbo grease. Do not use steel wool. Try in a very small area to see if it works, or makes it worse. Be careful. You would also take the sink out and take it to a body shop and have them buff it out. Stainless isn't STAINLESS. The oil in your fingers can discolor the surface, that was a big problem for the Deloreans. Russell
Here is a link that may be of help
Oxalic acid is my favorite for cleaning stains. Sulfuric and hydrochloric are not good on typical stainless (as you found out). It makes a difference whether the sink has a brush finish or high polished finish. My guess is a brush finish. In that case Scotch brite with abrasive powder containing oxalic acid (Zud and Barkeeper's Friend are two brands). The link has some good tips from the manufacturers of Stainless Steel. Good Luck Ward
Oxalic acid is my favorite for cleaning stains. Sulfuric and hydrochloric are not good on typical stainless (as you found out). It makes a difference whether the sink has a brush finish or high polished finish. My guess is a brush finish. In that case Scotch brite with abrasive powder containing oxalic acid (Zud and Barkeeper's Friend are two brands). The link has some good tips from the manufacturers of Stainless Steel. Good Luck Ward
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