Stainless steel is different. After all, it contains several different metals. The basis of stainless steel is iron, titanium, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, and this is not the whole list. Chromium, which is also present in its composition, helps resist corrosion of this steel.
What prevents steel from rusting
When chromium interacts with oxygen, a protective film is formed on the surface of stainless steel, and it is she who protects the alloy from exposure to an aggressive environment.
The amount of chromium will determine the degree of resistance to corrosion of steel.
For example, in the manufacture of refrigerators, an alloy with an average chromium content (10-17%) is used. But if the device is constantly in contact with water or is subjected to thermal stress, then an alloy with a high chromium content, up to 26%, is used. These appliances include washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, hoods, hobs and kettles.
Where you can polish
In order for the surface of the alloy to be beautiful and even, you need to polish the stainless steel. Nowadays there are manycompanies specializing in this particular procedure, they put in order various products from this alloy. But it turns out that you can polish stainless steel at home.
Of course, if you need better work, it is better to seek help from specialists. For example, a polished stainless steel square pipe will look much more impressive after factory processing than after home processing.
Any company that specializes in polishing can easily perform this procedure.
How to process steel
How to polish stainless steel to a mirror finish? Here is a list of everything you need:
- polishing paste;
- circles made of felt or felt;
- wood glue;
- grinding wheels with different grits;
- sandpaper or stone;
- Bulgarian.
Main steps of the process
The process takes place in several stages. First you need to perform a rough cleaning. Further in the course is a circle with a fiber base and an angle grinder. But just this procedure can be skipped, provided that the surface of the product is already smooth enough.
The grinding wheels come next. The surface must be processed several times, while each time the size of the abrasive should decrease.
If such circles are not available, then it is quite possible to make them yourself. To do this, you can use a felt circle or felt. With a spatula, it is necessary to apply carpentry glue on it, and then grind it over abrasive chips.
This operation will make the surface of the steel perfectly smooth. In no case should there be roughness. After all, after polishing, sealing them will be much more difficult.
The next step is to apply polishing paste and a felt wheel. Here it is better to consult a specialist, since a specific paste is needed for a certain brand of alloy. Of course, it is best to use diamond, the grit of which is suitable for the metal intended for processing. Finishing polishing is carried out until there is not a single visible flaw left. A polished stainless steel pipe should look just perfect.
Stainless steel in everyday life
No kitchen is complete without stainless steel appliances and fittings. This is not surprising, since it is this alloy that is quite strong and durable, especially since it does not require special care. Stainless steel is often used to make dishes, cutlery and stoves, as this metal has a fairly high thermal conductivity.
But there are some disadvantages of stainless steel: with regular use, it noticeably tarnishes. The kitchen is losing its luster. In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to periodically polish the stainless steel. There are many different ways to solve this problem. An important point in this procedure is the correct selection of polishing agent for stainless steel.
When cleaning steel products, in no case should you usebleaching and abrasive products. Also, do not use metal sponges and brushes with hard bristles.
There are several alternative polishing methods.
Olive oil
This method is just for those who are thinking about how to polish stainless steel at home. The tarnished dishes will again begin to shine like new. All you need is oil and rags, preferably soft cloth.
- First of all, you need to moisten a rag with oil.
- Use this cloth to apply oil to the product so that it is completely covered with an oil film.
- Next, you can start polishing by firmly pressing the oiled rag to the metal.
- So that the steel does not become dull again, excess oil is removed with dry towels or napkins. They need to rub the surface until the product is completely dry.
Flour polishing
Flour can also be used to polish metal items. It works well on flat surfaces such as a sink or pot.
- The product is sprinkled with flour so that there are no gaps at all.
- Flour should be evenly distributed.
- Using a dry cloth, polish the surface in a circular motion.
- Further the flour is very easy to remove from the surface.
Mechanical method
Some instruments and fixtures have hard-to-reachplots. This is where the question arises, how to polish stainless steel to a shine. There is a way, but you will have to spend a lot of time and make every effort.
You need to purchase a piece of felt and abrasive paste. Apply the paste to the fabric and polish the surface until the metal is bright and shiny.
Polishing with chemicals
Most often this method is used when you need to clean small items. The main thing is that polishing takes a little time and is done very simply. Below are a few solution recipes.
Recipe 1
It's important to keep the proportions. Composition: 230 ml of sulfuric acid, 70 ml of hydrochloric acid, and 40 ml of nitric acid. The rest is water.
For one liter of solution, you need another 5 g of sodium chloride, 5 g of acid black dye and 10 grams of wood glue.
The resulting liquid must be heated to 70 degrees Celsius and the part lowered there. The product can be left in the solution for a maximum of half an hour.
Recipe 2
You will need phosphoric acid, it should be 20-30 percent of the total volume. Hydrochloric acid (3-4%), nitric acid (4-5%), methyl orange (1%). The rest is water. The solution should be at room temperature, keep the product in it for no longer than 10 minutes.
Recipe 3
The content of acids is indicated per liter of solution. Acid orange dye - 25 g, sulfuric acid - 230 g, hydrochloric acid - 660 g. Heat the liquid to seventy degrees and keep the metal in it for no more than three minutes.
Polishing rules are given below:
- Metalbe sure to clean well before polishing. Then place the product in the solution. It should be remembered that only distilled water can be used here.
- During the procedure, the solution must be constantly stirred, only in this case the chemical reaction will be 100%.
- When the right time has passed, the part is removed and washed well with running water. After that, the product must be well rubbed with a napkin dipped in polish.
After this treatment, all roughness is eliminated.
It is not enough to polish stainless steel correctly, it still needs to be cleaned regularly.
Sink cleaning
Often stains remain on the sinks - this is limescale. It is very easy to remove with vinegar solution. Dilute the acid one to five and wipe the surface with it, and then rinse with running water. To give the metal a bright shine, the surface must be rubbed in a circular motion.
Stove cleaning
There are stains from sauces, fat and burnt food. They will have to be removed with a special tool for polishing steel. Be sure to remove the heaters before cleaning. The polishing agent is best used with gloves on. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting burns on the skin of the hands. After the procedure, it is advisable to rub the surface well with a dry cloth.
Cleaning the hood
This is no easy task. But quite doable. In order to prevent dirt and soap from staining the stove, it is better to cover it with newspapers or old towels.
To clean the hood, you can use a specialized tool or prepare a solutionon one's own. You will need bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice and water. The agent must be rubbed gently so as not to damage the surface. It is enough that the solution remains on the hood for several minutes, after which it must be washed off with clean running water. Next, you need to polish the surface well with a dry cloth. After such a procedure, the hood will shine like new.
