Scratches on Stainless Steel

[Hometown]

Scratches on Stainless Steel appliances are a homeowner's nightmare.

I've got two big ones.  And I've read that buffing them makes them worse.

I'm trying to think of it as a sacrifice to the Kitchen gods but it isn't helping.

I need a hint from Heloise.  Does anyone know any magic cures for scratches on stainless?

[sgrizzle]

Brushed or polished?

[Hometown]

Brushed.  I've got some fine scratches too.  Help!

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Brushed.  I've got some fine scratches too.  Help!

Well you don't want to buff brushed aluminum as it would remove the pattern. You might try "NEVR-DULL" (check walmart automotive) that is a metal polish with embedded grit. It is a cotton wadding and if you run in the same direction as the finish (use a ruler or straight edge) you might be able to get some fine scrathes without messing up the rest. Try it on a small area first. The only other reasonable option is a repair kit which involves redoing the grooves with sandpaper.

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product.asp?product=297145zz&cm_ven=youramigo&cm_cat=0107&cm_ite=spiderlinker&code=macs=MP7SPDR

[Hometown]

Thank you Sgrizzle.  I had given up hope.

[cannon_fodder]

I'll see you're scratched stainless and raise you a Mahogany & Ebony table that had the finish eaten off by one of those damn plug in things being set on it by my wife.

I miss cinder block furniture in college, where your biggest fear was having to spend $5 on another pair of blogs and a board to expand your entertainment center.

Anyway, I imagine its only a matter of time before my wife goes for a new fridge - avoid stainless?

[Conan71]

Oh hell, I thought "Scratches on Stainless Steel" was the name of a new heavy metal group.

Getting scratches out depends on how deep they are.  If it is a polished surface and they are deep, either you need to

A) sand the entire area down to the bottom of the scratch, then polish it back out (your forearms will look like Pop-eye when you are done)

B) replace it

C) live with it and kill the person that did it.

I've had luck buffing out scratches with steel wool or Scotch-Brite on a brushed surface, but go with the original pattern.  There again if it is deep, you are in for a lot of work.

[RecycleMichael]

I would try to hang children's art to cover the scratch.

I also have some old campaign bumper stickers I could lend you.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I would try to hang children's art to cover the scratch.

I also have some old campaign bumper stickers I could lend you.

I know where there is a Judge Wall sign available for the taking. []

[Hometown]

Okay, the back panel on my Wolf stove is brushed with a clear coat finish.  It has a bunch of fine scratches running at an angle across the grain.  I scratched it while I was fully awake.

I also scratched my Jenn-Air French door refrigerator.  It is also brushed with a clear coat finish.  I scratched this one in the middle of the night while half asleep.  This scratch is wider but looks like it's just on the surface.

I'm planning on trying the nevr dull that Sgrizzle recommended.  I tried a different metal polish on the stove last night with some success.  But not enough success.  So I'm still looking and I am deeply grateful for any suggestions.

Conan, does it sound like my appliances are candidates for buffing?  The sanding thing sounds like too much for me to take on.

We have original cracked tile from the 1920s in the bathrooms, and I would never repair that.  Love antiquities.  But the scratched appliances are causing me depression.

Please help me smooth out the scratches.

Now Cannon, I recommend you get your wife the stainless steel appliances of her choice.  And surprise her with a ruby ring while you are at it.  Maybe wait until you are in the dog house, and then spring the surprise.

[sgrizzle]

If there is a clear coat over the steel, then you should look at clear coat products. Nu-finish has a clear coat scratch remover. You put it on like waxing a car.

[Hometown]

Thank you Sgrizzle.  I can see what looks like brush marks but there is a smooth shiny surface.  How can you tell if it has a clear coat?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Thank you Sgrizzle.  I can see what looks like brush marks but there is a smooth shiny surface.  How can you tell if it has a clear coat?

If you can see the brushed, but it feels smooth as glass, it's probably clear coat.

[Hometown]

Sgrizzle, where's the best place to pick up the Nu-finish clear coat scratch remover?  Say in Midtown or East Tulsa?  

I already used a metal polish on part of it, does that damage the clear coat?

Thanks for the information.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Sgrizzle, where's the best place to pick up the Nu-finish clear coat scratch remover?  Say in Midtown or East Tulsa?  
I already used a metal polish on part of it, does that damage the clear coat?
Thanks for the information.

I'm not sgrizzle, but you can probably get it at any auto parts supply store, like Auto Zone.  I have also seen Nu-Finish car polishes at Target and KMarts.  They may even sell it at your closest large grocery store (such as Albertsons or Reasors) if they carry car waxes.  Nu-Finish makes a line of auto wash and polish products; most cars made for the last 20 years have clear-coat finishes.  They may also have other brands of clear coat scratch treatments at an auto supply.

Common sense tells me that this would only be a "temporary" fix, as with waxing a car it wouldn't last forever. You would have to retreat periodically, but I bet it would look much better than nothing at all.