It is important to first clean the surface of the stainless steel thoroughly. Scratches or dirt on the surface of stainless steel can prevent light from reflecting directly off the surface, causing the metal to appear dull. Arranging a thorough cleaning at this time will make the workpiece glossier. If after washing, your piece is still dull, then continue with polishing.
Polishing is similar to sanding. When polishing, you simply move the stainless steel surface to the deepest scratch depth. Always work from coarse to fine when polishing (like sanding a block of wood). The following procedure can be followed for most finishes, including metal, plastic, rubber, and even wood. Each material has different properties and will have a different finish. If you are new to polishing a stainless steel surface, we recommend doing a practice session with a scrap material to familiarize yourself with the material and how it responds to polishing.
Always wear protective gear when polishing, including goggles or face shield, dust mask, apron, and gloves. You may also protect surfaces and tools with tape or padding to prevent accidental gouging.
Grinding
If the edges of the stainless steel material are not flat or smooth, then edge grinding will be required prior to polishing. Work your way up from the roughest suitable paper to the finest. Sand in a consistent motion and follow the grain of the material without crosshatching, if visible. Continue sanding until no edge scratches are visible and a satin finish is achieved.
Choose polishing agent and polishing wheel
Start by starting with a harder polish such as a sisal buff, a professional amateur, or a spiral seam buff. (Note: Loose single stitch buffs are primarily used for finishing and fine compound processing). A variety of uniquely shaped buffing wheels and felt cams are available for accessing hard-to-reach areas of the object being polished.
Use polishing agent
Gently swirl the polish onto the polishing compound to coat the buffing wheel or felt pad. Add small amounts at first, and these polishes should be added sparingly. Next, spin the coated polishing pad or felt pad onto the surface to be polished. Best results are obtained at 3000 RPM or lower. Working at higher RPM can overheat the stainless steel surface and prevent the polish from working properly. Light pressure works best, and when you polish you will notice residue on the material (black soot on stainless steel surfaces). On a practical basis, to continue polishing, reapply more polish if necessary and continue polishing until scratches are removed and desired shine is achieved. To finish your project and achieve a perfect mirror finish, use the best polish available. Again using very light pressure, our White Polishing Wax is sufficient in most cases.
When the job is complete, remove excess polishing compound or residue. Dry the workpiece with a soft cloth or chamois. Depending on the material, clear packaging can be used to protect the repaired surface.
