stainless steel finish and water marks.

[chunkolini]

Right, how do you clean up stainless? I am delivering my triffid thingy tomorrow.
I washed it down today to get ride of dust etc, when washed there were some horrible water marks left where I washed it down.

WD40? polish? any simple suggestions welcome. How does mr Customer keep it looking good?

Chunko'.

 

[Paul.]

What finish is it, there are commercial stainless cleaners available, but if its just water spotting I tend to use kitchen appliance cleaners, this is a good one but they're all much the same, If your stainless has a brushed or dull finish a fine scotchbrite and soapy water will make a decent job.

 

[Tigman]

Baby oil will keep it nice once it is clean

 

[gordon stephenson]

Yes, Baby oil. I will second that motion,

Cheers Gordon.

 

[snowcat]

3rd baby oil.......

 

[shenion]

I would not use baby oil as it will have fragrance and other things added. Use straight mineral oil.

I would use car wax and buff it out. Will add UV protection.

 

[Chipper]

Random idea, but what's the stuff they use in dishwashers to stop water marks? Is it the salt? Maybe jet/hose with that in water. Totally random though. Be easy to clean if it works though (and lives somewhere it can be hosed) without having to dodge all o'they bloodthirsty pointy bits

 

[Shug]

Autosol metal polish?
Used on metals including chrome so I'm guessing it won't scratch.

 

[Arsonista]

All the stainless in shops, hairdressers etc, are cleaned with the cheapest baby oil you can get.

 

[dannyweld]

i use scotch bright on stainless, get from the autofactors, i always wipe the stainless down with cellulose tinners at the very end. carefull you dont set fire to your self.

 

[Hitch]

Depends what finish it has, but a good wash off, then dry, then a light buff with a baby oil rag works wonders on most finishes.

If its mirror or 2B avoid anything abrasive, just baby oil. light scratches can be removed with scotchbrite of an approporiate grade, or a garry (diamond) block.
Finish off with the oil again, that will disguise any tiny imperfections.

 

[dannyweld]

have never tried baby oil, will give it a go. i use the cellulose to remove any contamination such as cutting fluids etc, if i dont i find the stainless (mainly 304 brushed) discolours very fast.

 

[hotrodder]

There's various sealants around that 'preserve finishes for a long time'. I've seen longterm results for 'zoopseal' (even months later water was just sheeting off) which is horrifically expensive but a lot of the 'car detailing' obsessives rave about jet-seal which is more sensibly priced

 

[dannyweld]

There's various sealants around that 'preserve finishes for a long time'. I've seen longterm results for 'zoopseal' (even months later water was just sheeting off) which is horrifically expensive but a lot of the 'car detailing' obsessives rave about jet-seal which is more sensibly priced

but can you weld over these sealants. one of the great advantages of stainless is i can reweld any time without any major preperation, clean off the weld, and job done.

 

[hotrodder]

These things are applied and buffed off, it's a microscopically thin coating that can be removed easily. Zoopseal faq has more info on the limitations of the sealant, can't see jet-seal being too different. Welding sealed parts... can't see the stuff surviving welding temperatures, no idea about fume or weld chemistry but as it's really about prolonging a finish with regards to waterspotting/general grime etc then it's only really going to appeal for artwork/decorative things anyway

 

[Welderpaul]

I recommend baby oil, not just for stainless......

I use 3M stainless cleaner - in a spray can - works great, but not cheap. Give all the stainless in the kitchen a good clean with it as well!

 

[dannyweld]

i can understand with much stainless the finish is all important,but i can only spend so much money and time on it, will give the baby oil a try though.

 

[Tigman]

If it dont work you can use the baby for other things , massage or hard skin !

 

[dannyweld]

yeah, thai massage at lunch time.

 

[Sam]

Probably too late now but the staining could have been caused with the pickling paste when you wash it off if you have not rinsed the whole thing properly it can leave water marks. Worth paying attention to next time.

The stainless polish is manufactured by 3M can be purchased from costco you will get it cheeper there.I bought a case of polish from J&L Industrial and was a couple of quid dearer per can than what costco was charging.

P.S. baby oil attracts dust and fibres leave that to the home refurb teams on tv may be something to do with being in touch with their feminine side.