Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Love the metal look to our metal frames...how do we protect it?

My husband and I are re-doing our kitchen in a 60 year old co-op building. We have just ground down 12 layers of paint to find what I believe to be stainless steel window frames, and door frames. Most people would like to paint over this BUT we actually like the look of the bare metal. Aside from sanding and buffing to a high shine, if there any other treatments for bare stainless steel metal? Are there sealants, or stains? I like the "aged" or "antique" look, if there staining or pickling treatment for metal? We would much appreciate any advice on this topic. Thank you!

Danielle Ondrek
Home Owner - Briarwood (Queens), New York
2006

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Does a magnet stick to them? If so, they are steel, and will rust. If not, they are stainless steel and will not rust. There are some industrial processes which can be applied to stainless, but really nothing you can do at home, and, if you like the look, nothing you need to do other than clean them from time to time. if they're steel, you could try a clear aerosol spray, it might last a year, then strip and respray.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2006