How to polish stainless steel to a mirror

Stainless steel processing. Grinding, polishing

how to polish stainless steel to a mirror

“Stainless Steel Processing” is an article about the basic technology of stainless steel processing. Processing of welds, sheets, profile and round pipes.

This article is from a series of articles devoted to the production of railings and fencing as a business. In the future, I will write articles with videos on making exclusive stainless steel railings. In the next video I will make a fence from a profile pipe.

Below are two videos showing the processing of stainless steel, seams on round and profile pipes.

Consumables

Sutures are removed using a KLT circle with a diameter of 125 mm. Grit size P-80 - P-120. The video uses the Luga-Abrasive Circle. The best 3M, but expensive.

After CRT, it is necessary to smooth out unevenness and rough risks after CLT. They are removed with a Velcro sanding wheel, Grain R-80. Risks after the P-80 circle are removed with the same circle using P-320 grain.

I advise you to use circles from Mirka; using cheap ones will be more expensive.

Polishing . After sanding with P-320 grain, it can be polished. polishing is carried out with felt on a platform. Plus polishing paste, you can use GOY, but it is harmful.

Wipe with a cloth

Completion

This article is the second in the “Railings and Fences” section. The first article contains information on how to properly build a business on railings and fences. In the following articles I will discuss how to technically produce railings and fences. These will be the kind of railings that few companies make and can do in principle.

Source: https://little-biz.ru/obrabotka-nerzhavejki-shlifovka-polirovka/

Stainless steel polishing methods

how to polish stainless steel to a mirror

The material contains alloying elements that protect against corrosion and carbon deposits. Over time, scratches and abrasions, as well as oxidation, appear on the surface. Polishing the stainless steel helps with this. In this case, high roughness classes are achieved during processing.

Methods for polishing stainless steel

Stainless steel polishing can be done at home. In this case, several processing methods are used. Common methods include:

  • mechanical;
  • electrochemical;
  • electrolyte-plasma.

Mechanical restoration

Polishing of stainless steel is carried out using a material represented by grains of abrasive material. When processing, a circle, disk, roller or tape is used. Various pastes, solutions and suspensions for polishing act as abrasives. The material may contain substances that, in combination with abrasive grains, remove irregularities on metal surfaces. This type of processing is called mechanical.

As a result of mechanical impacts on the metal surface, grooves and stripes with roughness up to class 7 are formed. In this case, additional refinement of stainless steel to class 10 by grinding is necessary.

Refinement of stainless steel can be done at home without the use of special devices and tools. This type of polishing is common in private workshops and garages. In industrial enterprises, the following types of tools are used:

  • manual devices with electric and pneumatic drive;
  • polishing and grinding machines;
  • drum and vibration units;
  • installations for processing using magnetic abrasive.

The following abrasive materials are used for fine grinding:

  • liquid polish;
  • pasta;
  • suspension.

They contain mineral oils, paraffin and stearin additives as a base; they must be removed after processing with solvents.

Electrochemical method

Chemical polishing is the process of removing roughness using the ordered movement of charged particles from one electrode to another. The method uses installations with baths filled with an electrolyte solution. One of the electrodes is connected to the negative pole of the power source. The immersed stainless metal workpiece is connected to the positive terminal of the power source.

When direct current is applied, charged ions begin to form on the metal surface, which then flow to the cathode. When stainless steel particles are released, the microprotrusions are smoothed out. During processing, the operator can set the depth of metal removal by adjusting the constant current value, as well as the process time.

The method allows you to polish parts with complex geometric surfaces. Uneven areas are removed from difficult to access areas. The electrolyte has a temperature of up to 90°C, a current density of 0.5 A/cm2, and contains inorganic acids: phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid.

Electrolyte-plasma polishing

The method is based on the formation of a jacket on top of the part, which is a vapor-gas plasma. This allows you to remove irregularities from the metal surface. Apparatuses for polishing stainless steel at home operate on an alternating current network at a voltage of 400 V and an electrolyte solution temperature of 90°C. The rate of metal layer removal is up to 3 microns per minute.

The advantages of this method include:

  • use of safe substances;
  • minimum costs.

Polishes

Grinding of stainless steel is carried out using hand tools with an electric drive. The following are used as additional accessories:

  • a circle of felt or felt, a napkin, and also a disk;
  • roller;
  • abrasive sheet, disc with an abrasive base;
  • non-woven materials;
  • polishing tapes.

The tools are:

  • orbital sanders;
  • grinders with a set of attachments;
  • belt type machines;
  • tape cutter for direct processing;
  • portable sanders;
  • tape-type files with the ability to rotate the attachments.

Stainless steel polishing products

Frequency of appearance care

The frequency of polishing stainless steel depends on the occurrence of damage and abrasions on the metal surface. After processing, a protective film of chromium atoms is formed on the stainless steel, which prevents corrosion and rusting. This creates a matte finish.

To preserve the metallic shine on the metal surface, it is prohibited to use pastes containing coarse abrasives or chlorine. Damage to metal is detected visually.

How to polish stainless steel to a mirror at home

Polishing stainless steel in a private workshop to a mirror finish is considered affordable. The processing time depends on the number of scratches on the surface, as well as the presence of metal oxidation. Chemical polishing is not recommended as it may be harmful to humans. To process your product with your own hands until it shines you need:

  1. Install a polishing wheel with fine abrasive on the grinding machine.
  2. Choose a polish for stainless steel without wax; it is recommended to use abrasive grains of a minimum size in the composition.
  3. Pour polish onto the circle.
  4. Bring the device to the left corner of the product.
  5. Apply power to the machine by pressing the start button.
  6. The device must be moved in a circular motion.
  7. After polishing, turn off the power, and then use a rag to remove the remaining polish by wiping away any roughness.

Compliance with stainless metal processing technology will help to obtain a surface without roughness up to class 14.
At the same time, the metal acquires a mirror shine. Polishing stainless steel, flat. Full version.

Source: https://metalloy.ru/obrabotka/zashhita/polirovka-nerzhavejki

How and with what to polish stainless steel

how to polish stainless steel to a mirror

The smooth surface of the metal gets damaged when handled carelessly due to deliberate human actions. Not every mark can be removed with stainless steel polish and a soft rag. In a home workshop (garage), many methods are available for processing volumetric, flat, and curved surfaces of alloy alloy products. It is necessary to have the appropriate equipment and reagents.

Polishing stainless steel

Grinding with mechanical polishing

After damaging metal processing (cutting, welding, drilling, cleaning with hard rotary brushes, impacts), defects of various sizes are formed:

  • scratches, dents;
  • seams, sagging, shells;
  • chips;
  • cracks;
  • burrs.

These surface deteriorations reduce wear resistance, reflectivity, and resistance to complex loads. To eliminate roughness and add shine to such a hard material as stainless steel, you will have to perform 4–5 operations. Grinding is carried out using an electric grinder and replaceable abrasive wheels. With a felt/felt circle, after rough cleaning, they begin to polish the product. The endless belt makes it easy to process complex stainless steel parts.

For rough grinding of stainless steel, abrasive grit 30-40, finishing 16 - 25, polishing with micropowders with grit M7 - M14, finishing to a mirror - industrial ready-made compounds (polishes).

The mechanical action of a soft circle with applied paste removes a very small amount of metal. Glossy leveling occurs due to the redistribution of the structure of the top layer of stainless steel, rather than cutting it off. Under the influence of air, active components of the paste, and heating from friction, old oxide films are destroyed and, immediately, upon cooling, new ones are created.

After mechanical polishing, ideal smoothness and, accordingly, shine in inconvenient places is not created. In this case, finish polishing by hand. Bringing a mirror finish to stainless steel by hand is a labor-intensive, time-consuming operation, but doable. The creation of a mirror begins with polishing pastes and ends with liquid polishes.

Mechanical method of polishing stainless steel

It is necessary to subject the entire visible plane to the process - partial local processing will be noticeable. Visible differences cannot be eliminated by using polish.

Small stainless steel parts are processed using a method that does not require much physical effort and several hours of work. Using circles can just be awkward. Immerse the cleaned workpiece in a bath with strictly dosed reagents, diluted to the required concentration with distilled water.

Over a sufficient period of time, under the influence of caustic reagents, all steel roughness in contact with the liquid active medium is eliminated. Deep scratches and welding marks are first leveled with emery wheels, then smoothed with soft circles with paste of the required grain size (GOI).

Otherwise, all large flaws will also be polished while maintaining their shape.

To correctly select components and their concentration in the water mass, it is advisable to know the grade of stainless steel:

  1. Brand X18N9T is immersed in the following composition: acids: 230 ml sulfuric, 40 ml nitric, 70 ml hydrochloric. To 1 liter of solution add acid black dye - 6 g, wood glue - 10 g, sodium chloride - 6 g. The liquid temperature is maintained at 65-70 ° C, time 5÷30 minutes.

Other options:

  1. Acids in proportion to the total volume: nitric 4÷5%, orthophosphoric 20÷30%, hydrochloric 3÷4%, methyl orange - 1÷1.5%, in an aqueous solution with a temperature of 18÷25 ° C, Approximate holding time 5÷ 10 min .
  2. Per liter of composition the amount of acids: sulfuric 230 g, hydrochloric 660 g, orange acid dye - 25 g. Maintain a temperature of 70÷75 ° C, time 2÷3 minutes.

To complete the reaction at all points and remove the resulting products, the liquid in the container is continuously stirred. You can move the steel part.

The components are aggressive. Provide protection for the skin of the hands, face, eyes, and respiratory organs.

Chemical alignment of the line of the outer boundary of the stainless steel (polishing) occurs because the reaction is more intense on the protrusions of the profile. To prevent the accumulation of interaction products in depressions, recesses, and corners, fluid movement is forced. After washing off the chemical reagents, rub with a napkin with a small amount of polish.

Anode method

Electrochemical treatment reduces the time spent in relation to the mechanical procedure by 4-5 times, increasing the cleanliness class of the mirror by 1 or 2 positions.

To polish in this way, the complexity of the joints and the curvature of the planes become unimportant. When electricity is connected, the solution becomes an active electrolyte, interacting more intensely.

The sample being processed must be connected to the anode of the installation. For each chemical composition of stainless steel, reagents and mode parameters are selected.

Chemical polishing

The method requires freshly prepared electrolyte, electricity consumption, and the use of protective equipment by the employee. Preliminary preparation of the outer layer (especially after welding) is mandatory. But the reflectivity of stainless steel after all operations is the same as that of freshly polished silver or nickel.

The method of manufacturing a stainless steel element affects the time spent in the bath:

  • stamping 4÷6 min;
  • welding, heat treatment 10÷12 min;
  • casting after sandblasting for up to half an hour.
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Plasma polishing

The technology differs from the electrochemical procedure in the following parameters:

  • the solution is not aggressive, disposal does not require special cleaning;
  • voltage is higher (220 V);
  • temperature is about 100 °C.

The reagent used is ammonium salt with a concentration in the solution of 3.1 ÷ 6.0%. The electric current density is set at 0.35 ± 0.15 A/cm²; gas bubbles are intensively formed in the contact zone of the electrolyte with the stainless steel. Discharges occur in the vapor inside the fluidized bed, ionizing the medium. Plasma tongues appear that specifically act on the steel, polishing it. The time required for one dive is within 6 minutes, based on a power consumption of 5 Wh/cm².

For a stable process of polishing a surface of a certain area using the electroplasma method, the appropriate power of the installation is required. You cannot reduce its value in the hope of increasing the duration of treatment in the bath. The conditions for the formation of a plasma-ionized layer will not be met.

Unscrupulous mechanical preparation will be evident. Residual traces of welds, scratches, and dents cannot be hidden with polish.

How to polish stainless steel to a mirror?

In the modern world, we regularly come across stainless steel objects, because they have become a part of our lives. These are interior elements on the street and at home, various fences, and a variety of utensils in the kitchen. In this article you will find the answer to the question: how to polish stainless steel, because even such a durable metal can lose its original appearance under the influence of various factors.

What is household stainless steel?

Corrosion-resistant steel or, as it is also called, stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon with an admixture of special elements. Steel acquires high resistance to negative environmental factors thanks to these elements. The main one is chromium.

Its percentage in the metal may vary, but not less than 10.5%. Products made from steel with 18% chromium content acquire very high strength, but it is difficult to process such an alloy technologically.

Therefore, in everyday life, steel with an optimal chromium content of 13% is mainly used.

Important! Products made from such stainless steel are characterized not only by durability and the possibility of long-term use, but also by an attractive appearance with a mirror surface.

Due to the sufficient chromium content, an oxide film is formed on the metal surface, which protects the stainless steel from corrosion. But still, humid air and other factors can negatively affect the condition of the alloy over time.

Important! Having noticed the first signs of corrosion in the form of cloudiness or tarnishing, it is necessary to polish the metal.

If there are scratches or welding seams on the surface of the product, there is also a need to polish the stainless steel.

If there is a need to polish metal, then there are two possible actions.

Option #1. Specialized assistance

Nowadays, many specialized companies provide high-quality polishing services for stainless steel products. If you do not have the time and opportunity to polish the metal yourself, then contact one of these companies that will give your product a second life.

Option #2. Polishing at home

At home, you can also get a polished, shiny and perfectly smooth stainless steel surface. To do this, there are several ways that will help restore the product to its impeccable appearance. Let's look at what you can use to polish stainless steel.

How to polish stainless steel to a mirror at home?

To polish stainless steel to a mirror at home, you will have to make some effort. But they will be more than justified when you receive the result of your work.

Primary processing

Before you polish stainless steel, you must clean the product. To do this, you can use dishwashing detergent:

  1. Dilute detergent with water to create a soap solution.
  2. Wipe the metal surface with the prepared solution.
  3. Rinse off any soap residue with clean water.
  4. Dry the product.

Some foods, certain household tools and chemical liquids will help you polish stainless steel products at home. It is with their help that you will further polish the stainless steel to a mirror.

Olive oil

This method is suitable for polishing tarnished items. You will need olive oil and a soft cloth:

  1. Apply olive oil to a clean cloth.
  2. Spread the oil so that the entire surface of the product is covered with an oil film.
  3. Press the oiled cloth firmly onto the surface and polish the item using smooth circular movements.

Important! Polishing should be continued until a noticeable change in the structure of the product is felt.

  1. To prevent the polished surface from becoming dull, you need to remove excess oil. This can be done with a dry towel or napkins. Rub the product with vigorous circular movements until the surface is dry.

Flour

You can polish stainless steel using flour. This method is more suitable for flat surfaces, such as a sink or pan.

Mode of application:

  1. Sprinkle the product with flour so that it covers the entire surface.
  2. Spread the flour evenly over the metal.
  3. Using a dry cloth, use a circular motion with your hand to polish the stainless steel.

Important! Instead of a cloth, you can use a medium-hard toothbrush.

  1. Remove all flour from the surface.

Fine mechanization for polishing

You can polish stainless steel to a mirror not only in specialized companies or factories, but also at home using small-scale mechanization tools.

Important! This method is suitable for cleaning welding seams, repairing scratches, and giving a beautiful look to homemade products.

To polish stainless steel you will need:

  • an angle grinder, better known as a grinder, as a polishing tool;
  • grinding wheels of various grain sizes;
  • sandpaper, maybe a stone;
  • polishing agent;
  • felt or felt circles.

Polishing steps:

  1. First, you need to remove metal deposits from the weld seam, in other words, carry out a rough cleaning of the surface. To do this cleaning, you need to use an angle grinder and a fiber-based wheel. The wheel grit should be P60.

Important! If the surface of the stainless steel product is smooth enough, this step can be skipped.

  1. Sand the metal again using a 120 grit wheel. This action is carried out in order to remove stripes from the previous grain.

Important! If you don’t have a circle with the required grain parameter at hand, you can make it yourself. You need to take a felt or felt circle. Using a spatula, apply wood glue and run it over the abrasive chips. Such crumbs can be obtained by rubbing a stone and sandpaper against each other.

  1. Each time, halving the size of the abrasive, sand the stainless steel surface a few more times.

Important! After each grinding, do not forget to rinse the stainless steel surface. If possible, do not set the grinder to a speed of more than 4500 rpm.

  1. Make sure all rough spots are removed. The surface of stainless steel after grinding should be completely smooth.

Important! If defects remain on the product after polishing the stainless steel, these areas will have to be polished again.

  1. Take a polishing agent (usually a paste) and a clean felt pad.

Important! You need to choose the right polishing paste. There are different types of such products for different brands of stainless steel. It is best to take diamond paste that is the most suitable grit for your metal. If this is not the case, then GOI paste (chromium oxide) or regular polishing paste will do.

  1. Now begin the final polishing of the stainless steel. Consistently remove visible risks. Over time, the surface of the stainless steel will become smoother. This occurs due to the redistribution of the structure of the top layer of stainless steel. Under the influence of the active components of the paste, air, heat and friction, old oxide films are destroyed, and when the product cools, new ones are created.

Important! The metal should not be overheated, as this may cause it to change color.

  How to properly cook stainless steel with electrodes?

Mechanical polishing by hand

It should be borne in mind that ideal smoothness and shine are not created in places that are inconvenient for access. Therefore, if the product has such areas, then they must be polished manually. You need to be patient, as polishing stainless steel to a mirror in this way takes a lot of time and labor. To do this you will need:

  • a piece of felt;
  • abrasive paste.

Source: https://varimtutru.com/kak-otpolirovat-nerzhaveyku-do-zerkala/

How to polish stainless steel to a mirror shine

In the modern world, we regularly come across stainless steel objects, because they have become a part of our lives. These are interior elements on the street and at home, various fences, and a variety of utensils in the kitchen. In this article you will find the answer to the question: how to polish stainless steel, because even such a durable metal can lose its original appearance under the influence of various factors.

Chemical polishing method for stainless steel

This method is suitable for processing small stainless steel parts. It does not require much time or much physical labor. The chemical liquid can be prepared using one of the following recipes.

Option #1:

  1. Prepare the solution, taking into account the dosage: sulfuric acid - 230 ml, hydrochloric acid - 70 ml, nitric acid - 40 ml.
  2. To 1 liter of solution add 6 g of acid black dye, 10 g of wood glue and 6 g of sodium chloride.
  3. The temperature of the liquid should be 65-70 degrees C.
  4. Place the stainless steel in this composition for 5-30 minutes.

Option #2:

  1. Prepare a solution with the following ratio of acids to the total volume: phosphoric acid 20-30%, hydrochloric acid 3-4%, nitric acid 4-5%, methyl orange - 1-1.5%.
  2. Soak the part in this aqueous solution for about 5-10 minutes at a temperature of 18-25C.

Option #3:

  1. Prepare a solution taking into account the amount of acids per liter of composition: hydrochloric acid - 660 g, sulfuric acid - 230 g, orange acid dye -25 g.
  2. In such a solution with a temperature of 70-75 degrees C, the stainless steel should be kept for 2-3 minutes.

Important! All components are very aggressive. Therefore, with this method of polishing stainless steel, you need to ensure complete protection for your eyes, hands, face and respiratory organs.

Polishing steps:

  1. It is necessary to immerse the pre-cleaned part in a container with a chemical solution, which consists of reagents and distilled water.

Important! To obtain the desired concentration of the solution, adhere to strict dosages of reagents.

  1. The liquid must be stirred continuously to complete the chemical reaction.
  2. After the specified time, you need to remove the part, wash off the remaining chemical reagents with clean water and wipe the product with a napkin with polish.
  3. When exposed to liquid reagents, all roughness in stainless steel is eliminated over a certain period of time.

Important! It is imperative to know the brand of stainless steel in order to correctly select the components and their concentration in the water.

Stainless steel care

Polished stainless steel looks very impressive and beautiful. But in order for it to remain that way for as long as possible, you need to protect the mirror surface and ensure proper care for it.

Polishes are used for these purposes. They are available in the form of concentrates and liquid emulsions. The polish should be used immediately after finishing polishing the stainless steel. It is also recommended to use such products regularly with some frequency. This will help provide your product with a glossy surface for a long time.

The technique for using it is very simple:

  • Simply apply the product onto a napkin and wipe the product evenly in a circular motion.
  • After treatment, excess product should be removed.

Important! If you have the opportunity and desire, you can use a special power tool, for example, a grinder with a rotation speed of no more than 1500 rpm.

material

With periodic use of polish, your stainless steel products will be protected from the abrasive effects of dirt, corrosion and other natural factors. But still, if you need to polish stainless steel, then by choosing a more suitable method for you, described in this article, you can even give the product a smooth surface and a mirror shine even at home.

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Source: https://respect-kovka.com/chem-polirovat-nerzhaveyku-do-zerkalnogo-bleska/

Polishing stainless steel to a mirror shine with your own hands - Metals, equipment, instructions

Stainless steel items have become a part of our lives. These are interior elements for the street and at home, various dishes at home and much more. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon mixed with special elements.

Steel acquires high resistance to negative environmental factors thanks to these elements. But under the influence of various factors, even such a durable metal can lose its original appearance.

How to polish to a mirror shine? If such a need arises, then you have two options:

  • Contact a specialized company that provides this type of service.
  • Do it yourself at home.

Let's look at how to polish metal to a mirror shine with your own hands in different ways at home.

Polishing at home

You can also get a shiny and smooth stainless steel surface at home. There are several ways that will help us with this.

Preparation for polishing

First you need to clean the product properly. You can use dishwashing liquid for this:

  1. Dilute the detergent in water.
  2. Clean the stainless steel surface with soapy water.
  3. Rinse and dry the product thoroughly.

Olive oil polishing

This method is suitable for polishing tarnished items. All you need is a little olive oil and a soft cloth or napkin:

  • Apply a little oil to the fabric and spread it so that the entire surface is covered with an oil film.
  • Press the fabric firmly onto the surface and polish the stainless steel product with smooth movements.

Important! Continue until you see a noticeable change in structure.

  • Now you need to remove the remaining oil. Napkins or a dry towel are suitable for this. Wipe the surface until it is completely dry.

Polishing with flour

How else can you polish metal at home? For these purposes, you can use flour, however, this method is more suitable for flat surfaces, for example, for pots, knives or a sink:

  • Sprinkle flour over the entire surface and spread it evenly over the metal.
  • Polish using a soft cloth in a circular motion.

Important! For greater effect, you can use an old toothbrush.

Chemical method

You can polish metal at home using a chemical method. To do this you need to prepare a special liquid. There are several ways to do this:

  • For such a solution you will need 230 ml of sulfuric acid, 70 ml of hydrochloric acid, 40 ml of nitric acid. To 1 liter of solution you need to add 6 g of acid black dye, 10 g of wood glue and 6 g of sodium chloride. Bring this mixture to a temperature of 65-70 degrees and place your stainless steel items in there for 5 to 30 minutes.
  • The solution is prepared in the following ratios: phosphoric acid 20-30%, hydrochloric acid - 3-4%, nitric acid - 4-5%, methyl orange - 1-1.5%. Place the product for 5-10 minutes at a temperature of 18-25 degrees.
  • Per liter of composition there are 660 g of hydrochloric acid, 230 g of sulfuric acid and 25 g of orange acid dye. Heat the solution to a temperature of 70-75 degrees and place a stainless steel object there for 2-3 minutes.

Important! All these components are very aggressive, so it is necessary to ensure complete eye protection. hands, face and respiratory organs.

The stages of polishing using chemical solutions are as follows:

  • Immerse the pre-cleaned stainless steel item in a container with a chemical solution.

Important! Adhere to a strict dosage of substances included in the solution to obtain the desired concentration.

  • The liquid must be stirred constantly.
  • After the expiration date, the product must be removed and the remaining reagents washed off with clean water.
  • Wipe the part with a cloth containing polish.

Under the influence of chemicals, all roughness will be eliminated and the product will acquire its original shine and radiant appearance.

Mechanical polishing methods

These polishing methods involve the use of tools and devices such as:

  • polishing machine;
  • Sander;
  • electric sharpener;
  • drill with lock.

Important! The method has a number of advantages. This is fast, efficient, you can change the rotation frequency of circles and belts, use additional attachments made of leather, fabric, wool and other materials.

The product for polishing metal to a mirror shine with your own hands depends on the brand of stainless steel:

  • Diamond paste performed best, but it has one significant drawback - a rather high price.
  • If you don’t have one, then you can use GOI paste. It comes in four types, depending on the grain size.

Important! For manual grinding, you can use the same diamond paste or GOI paste. Its effectiveness depends on the quality of consumables.

This is done as follows:

  • Apply a little product to the felt disc and add a few drops of machine oil to dilute the paste.

Important! For metal, it is best to use a coarse grit paste.

  • Polish the surface in a circular motion, being careful not to rub too hard.
  • Do this until you are satisfied with the result.

Important! How can you polish a knife to a mirror shine at home? Such smooth metal surfaces are polished with an ordinary file - a wooden block covered with a cloth, onto which polishing paste is applied.

Polishing metal to a mirror shine with your own hands: features of the process

Stainless steel items have become a part of our lives. These are interior elements for the street and at home, various dishes at home and much more. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon mixed with special elements.

Steel acquires high resistance to negative environmental factors thanks to these elements. But under the influence of various factors, even such a durable metal can lose its original appearance.

How to polish to a mirror shine? If such a need arises, then you have two options:

  • Contact a specialized company that provides this type of service.
  • Do it yourself at home.

Let's look at how to polish metal to a mirror shine with your own hands in different ways at home.

The process of polishing to a mirror at home

There are several proven methods for polishing metal at home. One of them is chemical (without the use of mechanisms). It does not require much effort, the main thing is that it follows safety requirements. Polishing metal at home using a chemical method occurs in the following order:

  1. Sulfuric acid is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20. The volume of the resulting mixture should be sufficient to completely cover the item being polished;
  2. Dip the object to be polished into the resulting solution for a few minutes, and, after removing it, rinse it in running water. Next, place it in a container filled with sawdust;
  3. Dip the metal object dried in sawdust into nitric acid for 2-3 seconds, then rinse thoroughly again;
  4. After the next drying in sawdust, carefully wipe the metal.

After such simple procedures, the metal object will look like new. A smooth and shiny surface will be perceived by the eye as a mirror.

TIP: Before putting a metal item into acid, you need to remove all elements made from other materials from it. Acid can have a detrimental effect on other materials and destroy them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhz95sNB1Ys

One of the most popular types of home polishing of metals is processing using GOI paste. This paste was created in the last century and is successfully used to this day. Initially it has a solid form and comes in varying degrees of granularity. For better application, it is recommended to dilute it with a few drops of machine oil.

Chemical polishing

During chemical polishing, the surface is exposed to a combination of a specific substance and galvanic fumes. This process determines the formation of a passivating oxide film, which leads to the leveling of surface microroughness.

The quality of polishing depends on the ratio of the rate of film formation and its dissolution in the liquid. The highest gloss can be achieved by forming a thin film. With chemical polishing of metal, it is possible to achieve a film of thinner thickness than with electrochemical polishing, which determines the possibility of achieving better shine, but large irregularities in the part cannot be leveled out.

Electrochemical polishing

Required equipment and chemicals

To get a good result at home, you will have to spend a little money and stock up on some chemicals, devices and mechanisms. Depending on the method by which you will polish the metal to a mirror shine with your own hands, you will need several items from this list:

  • Sulfuric acid;
  • Nitric acid;
  • Water;
  • Sawdust;
  • Paste GOI;
  • Felt circle;
  • Drill;
  • Wooden block;
  • Textile.

Mechanical polishing method

For many years, a mechanical method of processing the surface of a metal product has been used. Special sets of abrasive wheels and belts, when combined with GOI polishing pastes, make it possible to obtain a material with a roughness index Ra = 0.05–0.12 microns.

The features of this password encryption method include:

  1. to automate the process, special machines are used that are equipped with fabric or felt circles;
  2. a certain amount of GOI paste is applied to the abrasive;
  3. the goyi paste in question is a special powder consisting of an active substance that has an activating effect on the surface of the product;
  4. A typical paste consists of approximately 60% abrasive and 40% binder. content of activating additive 2%.

Finish grinding can only be achieved using GOI paste. In this case, a soft wheel and GOI paste with a fine abrasive are used. For such work, the material consumption is quite large: per 1 square meter of surface there are 0.3 felt wheels and an abrasive substance such as GOI, approximately 100 grams. When processing complex surfaces, a belt type of material and the same GOI abrasive are used.

Special attention should be paid to GOI paste. It is a special substance that is based on chromium oxide. The substance from the GOI category is produced in the form of a green bar. Special GOI sets contain bars with different abrasive grain sizes.

Safety precautions

When using a chemical polishing method, be sure to use special gloves, respiratory protection, and special utensils that do not react with acid.

Polishing metal to a mirror shine with a grinder or drill should be carried out using eye protection. And most importantly, you must strictly adhere to the technological process.

It is necessary to always have a medical first aid kit on hand, with which you can provide first aid before the arrival of the ambulance, although it is advisable to prevent such cases.

Grinding

At the first production stage, after sawing, welding or casting, grinding of the still rough material is carried out. Its task is to remove irregularities and burrs from the surface, remove scale or old coating and bring the product to the required dimensions and shape. To perform this type of work, specialized mechanisms are used, which come in several varieties. They operate at the same high speed.

Grinding the bevel of the knife.

Source: https://instanko.ru/drugoe/kak-otpolirovat-metall.html

How to polish stainless steel: methods and means to give an expressive shine

Stainless steel comes in different varieties. After all, it contains several different metals. The basis of stainless steel is iron, titanium, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, and this is not the entire list. Chromium, which is also present in its composition, helps this steel resist corrosion.

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What prevents steel from rusting

When chromium interacts with oxygen, a protective film is formed on the surface of stainless steel; it is this film that protects the alloy from exposure to aggressive environments.

The amount of chromium will determine the degree of corrosion resistance 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 temperature loads, then an alloy with a high chromium content, up to 26%, is used. Such appliances include washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, hoods, cookers and kettles.

Where can I polish?

In order for the surface of the alloy to be beautiful and smooth, you need to polish the stainless steel. Nowadays, there are many companies whose specialization is this particular procedure; they put in order various products made from this alloy. But it turns out that you can polish stainless steel at home.

Of course, if you need better quality work, it is better to seek help from specialists. For example, a polished square stainless steel pipe will look much more impressive after factory processing than after home processing.

Any company that specializes in polishing will easily perform this procedure.

How to process steel

How to polish stainless steel to a mirror shine? Here is a list of everything you will need:

  • polishing paste;
  • felt or felt circles;
  • wood glue;
  • grinding wheels with different grain sizes;
  • sandpaper or stone;
  • Bulgarian.

Main stages of the process

The process takes place in several stages. First you need to do some rough cleaning. Next comes a wheel with a fiber base and an angle grinder. But this procedure can be skipped provided that the surface of the product is already quite smooth.

Grinding wheels come next. The surface must be processed several times, and each time the size of the abrasive should decrease.

If such circles are not available, then you can easily make them yourself. To do this, you can use a felt circle or felt. You need to apply wood glue to it with a spatula, and then rub it over the abrasive chips.

This operation will make the steel surface perfectly smooth. Under no circumstances should any roughness remain. After all, after polishing it will be much more difficult to seal them.

The next step is to apply polishing paste and a felt wheel. Here it is better to consult a specialist, since a specific brand of alloy requires a specific paste. Of course, it is best to use diamond, the grit of which is suitable for the metal intended for processing. Final polishing is carried out until there are no visible flaws left. A polished stainless steel pipe should look just perfect.

Stainless steel in everyday life

No kitchen is complete without stainless steel appliances and interior parts. This is not surprising, since this particular alloy 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 also some disadvantages to stainless steel: with regular use, it noticeably tarnishes. The kitchen is losing its shine. 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, never use bleach or abrasives. Also, do not use metal sponges or brushes with stiff bristles.

There are several alternative polishing methods.

Mechanical method

Some devices and fixtures have hard-to-reach areas. 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 becomes bright and shiny.

Polishing with chemicals

This method is most often used when you need to clean small items. The main thing is that polishing takes little time and is very simple to do. Below are several recipes for solutions.

Recipe 1

It is important to maintain proportions here. Contains: 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 must be lowered there. The product can be left in the solution for a maximum of half an hour.

Recipe 2

You will need orthophosphoric acid, it should make up 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, and keep the product in it for no longer than 10 minutes.

Recipe 3

acids are 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:

  1. The metal must be thoroughly cleaned before polishing. Next, place the product in the solution. It should be remembered that only distilled water can be used here.
  2. During the procedure, the solution must be constantly stirred, only in this case the chemical reaction will take place 100%.
  3. When the required time has passed, the part is removed and washed well with running water. After this, the product must be well rubbed with a napkin soaked in polish.

After this treatment, all roughness is eliminated.

It is not enough to polish stainless steel correctly; it also needs to be cleaned regularly.

Cleaning the sink

Often stains remain on sinks - this is limescale. It is very easy to remove with a vinegar solution. You need to 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.

Cleaning the stove

Stains from sauces, fat and burnt food remain here. They will have to be removed with a special steel polishing agent. Be sure to remove the heating elements before cleaning. It is best to use the polish while wearing gloves. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting burns on the skin of your hands. After the procedure, it is advisable to rub the surface well with a dry cloth.

Cleaning the hood

This is not an easy task. But quite doable. 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 product or prepare a solution yourself. You will need bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice and water. The product must be rubbed in carefully so as not to damage the surface. It is enough for the solution to remain 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 this procedure, the hood will shine like new.

Source: https://FB.ru/article/382592/kak-polirovat-nerjaveyku-sposobyi-i-sredstva-dlya-pridaniya-vyirazitelnogo-bleska

Grinding stainless steel at home – Machine tools, welding, metalworking

    The smooth surface of the metal gets damaged when handled carelessly due to deliberate human actions. Not every mark can be removed with stainless steel polish and a soft rag. In a home workshop (garage), many methods are available for processing volumetric, flat, and curved surfaces of alloy alloy products. The availability of appropriate equipment and reagents is necessary. However, there is a phenomenon of local corrosion. In the case of sanitary equipment, we usually deal with the phenomenon of pitting corrosion or crevice corrosion. Feeding corrosion is mainly the result of environmental aggressiveness, i.e. may be caused by using aggressive cleaning agents or cleaning steel surfaces with inadequate cleaners. The reason for its formation may also be the presence of chlorine, for example, in the room where the steel is located. Steel is a material that is easy to keep clean and durable, you need to take care of it. We have already mentioned the oxide layer on stainless steel. Failure to follow or maintain proper cleaning procedures may result in permanent damage to the protective oxide layer, resulting in discoloration and corrosion. On the labels of some cleaning products, manufacturers clearly state that they should not be used on steel, chrome, or nickel-plated surfaces, as they may damage them.

    What to use to clean stainless steel?

    To clean steel you can use. Natural cleaners such as vinegar solution or sparkling water, window cleaning fluids - most are safe for steel cleaning and polishing preparations. Like perfect material.

    What should you not use to clean stainless steel?

    Natural and artificial bristles with microfibers, chemical fibers and natural non-woven sponges, sponges, machine washers and steam cleaners.

    Avoid harsh cleaners and products containing chlorine or bleach. Likewise, do not use water from swimming pools. They can damage the chromium oxide coating that makes stainless steel resistant to corrosion.

    Also do not use materials that may scratch the surface, e.g.

    For rough grinding of stainless steel, abrasive grit 30-40, finishing 16 - 25, polishing with micropowders with grit M7 - M14, finishing to a mirror - industrial ready-made compounds (polishes).

    The mechanical action of a soft circle with applied paste removes a very small amount of metal. Glossy leveling occurs due to the redistribution of the structure of the top layer of stainless steel, rather than cutting it off. Under the influence of air, active components of the paste, and heating from friction, old oxide films are destroyed and, immediately, upon cooling, new ones are created.

    The Most Common Stainless Steel Dirt and How to Remove Them

    Steel abrasive paper, abrasive abrasive powders for powder cleaning, grinding and polishing, etc. When stains appear on the surface of stainless steel, the first step should be to wash them with the right products. Depending on the type of dirt, different preparations are used.

    Tips for caring for stainless steel

    The following list of tips is designed to address the most common steel maintenance problems, including maintaining the aesthetic appearance of metal hand dryers, waste bins and many other types of equipment.

    After mechanical polishing, ideal smoothness and, accordingly, shine in inconvenient places is not created. In this case, finish polishing by hand. Bringing a mirror finish to stainless steel by hand is a labor-intensive, time-consuming operation, but doable. The creation of a mirror begins with polishing pastes and ends with liquid polishes.

    Subjected

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    how to polish stainless steel

    Source: https://stanki-info.com/shlifovka-nerzhaveyki-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

    How to polish stainless steel?

    In the modern world, we regularly come across stainless steel objects, because they have become a part of our lives. These are interior elements on the street and at home, various fences, and a variety of utensils in the kitchen. In this article you will find the answer to the question: how to polish a stainless steel or metal pipe, because even such durable metal can lose its original appearance under the influence of various factors.

    How to polish stainless steel to a mirror at home (video)?

    To polish stainless steel to a mirror at home, you will have to make some effort. But they will be more than justified when you receive the result of your work.

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