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


-----

Help! stainless steel sinks have discolored

I have discoloring stainless steel sinks...Help, dark marks stains, etc. rental apt. What can I clean them with.

Onalee olson
- Mn. ,usa
2000

We have a similar problem during annealing (1000 °C). Black stains that look like rinsing stains. The only solution seems to grind the sinks, or if you are a deep drawer grind the sheets prior to drawing. Can you provide more information on your problem?

Peter Caenen
- Hasselt, Belgium
2001

---

Stainless sinks are not using as much chrome as years ago and therefore tend to rust. We have the same problem with other stainless. There are many cleaners from oxidizers to citric acid [on eBay or Amazon] that work.

Regards Tom

Tom Fischer
- Fargo, North Dakota, USA
2001

---

Cleaner for copper, brass, stainless steel, etc.: a paste of ketchup, 1/2 cup, 2 TBS vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] and salt increases how well it works. Now all I need is a good homemade sealer to keep cleaned items looking sharp.

Good Luck,

Byron L Milburn
- Kingman, Kansas, USA
2007

This really works. We just moved into a beautiful home that was only 2 years old and the only thing wrong with it was the etched stainless sink around the drain. I tried this and it really worked, now my sink is perfect. Thank You

Christina Witt
- Stephens City, Virginia
August 27, 2008