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Stainless steel polishing

Looking for Stainless Steel scratches - removal - reprocess

We are manufacturing stainless steel doors for a railroad customer.

We are experiencing scratches during the manufacturing process, and I am looking for the best (or whats) of repairing / removing the scratches without generating a lot of heat. The heat will distort the door.

What do you recommend for a short term solution(s) & a long term solution(s).

Thank you for your time and effort.

Regards,

Dennis V [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
2003

As rudimentary as it sounds, I think that you would be better off trying to find out what is causing the scratches and fixing that problem. Probably multiple causes. Failing that, can you protect the parts with paper or the static stick on plastic that could absorb most of the scratches. Failing that, you are stuck with sand and polish. There is no quick and easy way to remove scratches, especially on large objects.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

Dennis, I agree with James in that the actual fabrication process should be addressed as to the cause of your problem. However, if these are "small" (can't catch your fingernail on them when passed over) scratches they could be removed by electropolishing. Electropolishing is not a plating or coating and it actually removes an amount of the surface material that would remove or lessen the scratch. I'm not sure of the cost. Sometimes it's very inexpensive. Sometimes not.

Chuck Ridenour
- Bradford, Pennsylvania
2003