Help: How to buff & polish stainless steel sink?

[mannyrock]

 
Dear Guys,
 
    I have a big stainless steel sink in my house that is probably 30 years old.  It really looks bad.   I would like to know how to buff and polish it, so that it is mirror bright.
 
   I have looked at on-line videos, and they are confusing.  Some say start with 400 grit sandpaper, then to 600 grit, and then  to "fast-cut" polish compound (don't know what that is), and then to a finer compound (don't know what that is either).      When I took shop 45 years ago,, there were only two blocks of polishing compound.  One was white, and one was red (I think we called it rouge).   We started with the white, and then finished with the rouge.  Again, though, I don't know what these two compounds are actually called.
 
    I have several power drills, but no 4 inch buffing wheels or arbor.  I don't even know what kind of wheels to use.
 
    I would like to do a nice job, but it doesn't have to be perfect.  I can buy a brand new 18 gauge stainless steel sink from Galaxy supply for $159.00, and have it installed for another hundred or so, and therefore it wouldn't make much sense for me to spend a ton of money trying to buy polishing compounds, mandrels and wheels.   I need some practical advice please.  (I can see that in the on-line videos, these guys have hundreds of dollars of wheels, compounds, and equipment.)
 
Thanks for all advice.
 
Mannyrock
 
 

[hillbill]

i used to make a lot of parts for choppers out of stainless and it is a bear to work with mostly because of its hardness.it can be buffed out to a chrome like finish but its not easy or fun. good sandpaper is your friend.depending on how rough it is start with 400 or 600 grit and work up to 1000 grit.the more work you do with the sand paper the less buffing you will need. once your sanding is done and you have a uniform finish overall, then you will want to buff with a air die grinder. i do not think a drill would have enuf rpms. you will want to use a 4 inch hard cloth wheel with compound made for stainless. and then switch to a softer wheel with a finer compound. ive never done anything as large as a sink but im guessing to get it perfect would take 10 hrs or better.and then your really going to have to work hard to get a real uniform finish.
 
now the stainless sinks ive seen seem to be made of a lower grade maybe softer metal and may not take as much work as im talking about. you might take your drill and a buff pad wet and sum comet cleanser and do wonders if it does not have lots of pits and scratches. i would remove the sink and take it outside becuase either way your going to sling compound all over the kitchen with your power tools. let us know what you come up with?

[tacklebury]

We make s/s sinks and food service equipment where I work.  We often use Acid to clean up welding marks and uneven coloration.  We also use sanding belts and wheels with a variety of grits to put grain back in.  For polishing, start with a Sisal buffing wheel and coarse grit rouge and then drop down to a Muslin wheel with fine grit rough.  If you use the acid first, then the wheels, you will have a decent finish pretty quickly. 
You can buy this stuff locally for less possibly, but will give you some ideas what to look for. 
 
Some hand held pads work well too: http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/ks410.htm
Coarse Wheel: http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/w612.htm
Fine Wheel: http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/ws658.htm
coarse grit: http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/lm1.html
Fine grit: http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/lm4.htm
Gloves for acid: http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/es131.htm
Look for sulphuric acid at a local hardware or chemical supply.  Be sure to wear the gloves and keep very good ventilation or preferrably do it outside.  If you cannot do it outside, do it in small areas at a time and keep fans blowing outside. 
 

[charles p]

I used Flitz once on my wife's range.  Worked for me.

[mechanic]

Having polished a lot of metal....if I could I would buy the new sink.
 
Ben

[Ranger99]

i'm sure you understand that just
by using it that the mirror finish
you want won't last without scratching.


you might want to consider that before
you invest too much energy into it.


a brushed or matte finish is way more
practical and easier to achieve.


good luck

[mannyrock]

 
 
 
 
Hey Guys,
 
   Thanks for all of the great advice.
 
    Some follow up thoughts.
 
    1.   I guess I got carried away, considering a mirror finish.  What I really need is just a nice even brushed finish that looks really clean and like new.
 
    2.   I am retired, so I have unlimited time and limited money.  Having a new sink installed would cost me about $350.    I am more than happy spending 10 hours of labor to polish my sink.  That way I have made (saved) $35 per hour!  Saving a dollar is exactly like earning  a dollar.  (Well, it's actually like make $1.25 because you don't have to pay income, social security and medicaid taxes.)
 
    3.  Saw a video where someone took an automobile buffer, (the round housing type with handles on each side), and used car buffing compound to polish up his sink, followed by a finer grit polish.  I might give this a try.  If it doesn't work, I can then go to the more traditional methods.
 
Best Regards,
 
Mannyrock

[Old Syko]

Manny if this thing is just discolored and showing it's age it may be both simple and cheap to make look a lot better. Easy Off oven cleaner will brighten things up and help hide all but the worst scratches.  Mask off and cover everything in the general vicinity including the floor and surrounding cabinets, spray the stuff on and let it set.  Since you can't heat it up as directed just let it set for 30 minutes to an hour then spray it again.  Wait a while then rinse thoroughly and towel dry.  You may be pleasantly surprised in the change.  Just take extra care on what this stuff gets close to. Rubber gloves and glasses are a must when using it like this.

[hillbill]

youtube is your friend. every time i attempt a task ive never done before i spend a bit of time looking at videos on youtube.