[[:techtalk:menu|{{ :techtalk:gototechnicalmenu.jpg|}}]] ====== REF: Service Procedures 46 ====== ====== Trying to Get a Mirror Finish on Stainless Steel ====== This is an attempt to get a mirror finish on stainless and without any scratches. \\ Hand sanding only was used in the pics below on a scrap piece of angle. \\ This shows a progression starting from raw filed material as in a newly fabricated part. \\ |Starting as shaped with a file.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_1_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_2_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |A course sanding block smoothed it out some but it's too flexible and began rounding the corners.||Finish still scratched but beginning.| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_3_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_4_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_5_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |3M polishing compound applied with the sanding \\ block.|That brought out more shine.|However, it did nothing for the scratches.| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_6_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_10_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_11_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |3m applied with a Dremil tool and a felt disc leaves a better shine.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_12_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_13_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Then, white polishing compound was used from a Harbor Freight kit. Held in a vise for easy access.||But the scratches are still too deep.| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_14_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_15_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_16_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |This is sold as "3M Safety Walk" (applied on steps to keep your feet from slipping). \\ It makes for a good rough sandpaper and looks to rival the 60 grit paper in front.|| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:polishing_stainless_21.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:tools:polishing_stainless_20.jpg?direct&300|}}| |The surface was wet sanded with cutting oil and the 3M paper wrapped around a file for rigidity. \\ Followed by 60 and then 220 grit paper.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_17_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_19_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Then polished with Mothers polish and a dish sponge. \\ It made a decent satin finish but that is not the goal.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_22_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_23_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Surface was then wet sanded with cutting oil and a Scotchbrite scouring pad. \\ Best shine yet but scratches are still too deep.||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_24_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_25_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_26_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |More white compound revealed some pitting but the shine is getting better.||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_28_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_29_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_31_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |The aluminum oxide disc was a bad idea. It knocked down some of the valleys but dimpled the surface||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_32_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_33_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_34_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |The surface was then wet sanded with 320 grit and polished with white compound. \\ The surface feels like glass but the lines are still in it.||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_35_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_36_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_37_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |After using 400 grit, the lines are fading out but too much pressure was applied while sanding and light scratches appeared. \\ They still won't polish out with white compound.||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_39_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_40_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_41_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |A cloth wheel on a drill was useless and added more scratches.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_42_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_43_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |This is a 3 pack polishing compound from Home Depot for hard metal. The yellow is for stainless.|| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:polishing_stainless_48.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:tools:polishing_stainless_49.jpg?direct&300|}}| |It's bringing out the shine but not cutting well enough.||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_50_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_52_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_53_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |The black was better but left hot spots in the finish and it wouldn't polish away. \\ It came off with 3M liquid polish.||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_54_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_55_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_56_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Aside from the hotspots, it's starting to rival the pipes.|3 more passes with black, 2 with yellow and 1 with HF red. Needs more sanding.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_58_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_59_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_60_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Sanded back down by hand only with wet 400, dry 600 and 1200 grit. \\ Then wet sanded with steel wool and polished with the black stick.||The black stick when rubbed across the metal \\ will scratch it.| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_61_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_63_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_64_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Neither a slow or fast motion with the Dremil made better or worse swirls.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_65_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_66_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |However, the excess polish buildup was caused by loading too much polish on the wheel. \\ A wheel rake was used to remove the excess polish which made it more manageable on the next run.|| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:polishing_wheel_rake_2_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_73_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Starting with the corners.| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_67_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |A clean dry pad found some un-noticed glazing after polishing and removed it slowly.||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_68_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_69_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_70_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |Finish is now more smooth with less scratches and marring.|| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_71_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_72_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | Surface re-sanded with 600 grit paper and repolished. ((photos by Hippysmack)) ||| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_74_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_75_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_77_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:polishing_stainless_78_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:tools:polishing_stainless_79_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_80_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_87_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| {{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_81_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| {{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_82_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_83_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_84_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| |{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_85_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{techtalk:ref:svcproc:polishing_stainless_86_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| \\ [[:techtalk:menu|{{:techtalk:gototechnicalmenu.jpg|}}]]