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Q&As since 1989


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Stainless Finishing

We manufacture a line of Stainless Tables and Chairs. We buy our stock Stainless in a mirror finish. We then fab and weld it to our dimensions. After the product is complete we grind blend the welds and scotch brite the complete part to get a satin finish. This process takes forever and the parts usually still have circle scratches. What would be a better product rather than scotch brite to get a well uniform satin finish.

Dale Roberts
Project manager - El Monte, California, USA
2004

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There are a couple of ways to proceed.

#1, I suggest you cover or protect your parts while in process maybe with a contact type paper.

#2, In lieu of 1 and to speed things up, you may want to consider belt sanding first with a fine abrasive belt.

#3, I still suggest you finish with a non-woven wheel or belt.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2004

Why don't you just buy the stainless with a polished (belt ground) finish to start with. Then you would have the final finish you want and would only have to blend in the welds. It can be purchased with a protective plastic film which would protect it through fabrication and would only have to be peeled back at the weld joints. It would probably also be cheaper than the #8 finish you currently buy.

Ray B Anderson
- Kent, Ohio
2004

Try using a unitized disc or wheel. Standard Abrasives make some really good ones for a 4 1/2 grinder or larger ones for a bench grinder. They can give you a mirror polish depending on the type. If you want the satin finish go with the #4 and save yourself a headache and some cash.

Drew Young
handmade steel works - Illinois, USA
2004