Best Stainless Steel Polish?
Discussion
Yesterday I discovered either the limitations of my technique or the limitations of my old favourite, Solvol Autosol whilst trying to polish scratches out of some mirror polished stainless steel silencers.
I need to be able to polish them in situ and do not have one of those big buffing wheels on the bench - I'm limited to regular rotary polishing machines and interface pads.
I gave myself the best chance by using went and dry paper - 1200, 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000 (the 7,000 didn't make any difference to be fair) and I made sure I went in opposing directions for each grade to ensure I'd removed the previous grade scratches. At 5000 it was pretty shiny but you could still see sanding marks etc in the finish from the 5k, very fine, but not mirror.
No matter what technique I used, fast, slow, light pressure, heavy pressure, foam pad, wool pad, the Autosol just didn't appear to have anything like enough 'cut' to actually bite into the stainless. Yes it came up 'nice', but it just didn't get into it enough to remove the micro scratches.
I've seen YT videos of guys in the states using tubs of paste polish on 1,000 grit sanded stainless and getting near perfect results, so I feel it's the polish I'm getting wrong, not the sanding.
What is a really good stainless cut and polish that using a machine will remove fine micro scratches rather than just shine up around them?
I'd rather not spend £100+ on a huge tub from America if there's small tube of stuff I can get in the UK?
I fell in love with the Autosol as it was great at cleaning blueing from motorbike exhausts, but just doesn't have enough cut for scratches. I did try some brasso and some fine metal polish for jewelry but it didn't touch the sides. I resisted trying my fine valve lapping paste!!
Thanks.
I need to be able to polish them in situ and do not have one of those big buffing wheels on the bench - I'm limited to regular rotary polishing machines and interface pads.
I gave myself the best chance by using went and dry paper - 1200, 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000 (the 7,000 didn't make any difference to be fair) and I made sure I went in opposing directions for each grade to ensure I'd removed the previous grade scratches. At 5000 it was pretty shiny but you could still see sanding marks etc in the finish from the 5k, very fine, but not mirror.
No matter what technique I used, fast, slow, light pressure, heavy pressure, foam pad, wool pad, the Autosol just didn't appear to have anything like enough 'cut' to actually bite into the stainless. Yes it came up 'nice', but it just didn't get into it enough to remove the micro scratches.
I've seen YT videos of guys in the states using tubs of paste polish on 1,000 grit sanded stainless and getting near perfect results, so I feel it's the polish I'm getting wrong, not the sanding.
What is a really good stainless cut and polish that using a machine will remove fine micro scratches rather than just shine up around them?
I'd rather not spend £100+ on a huge tub from America if there's small tube of stuff I can get in the UK?
I fell in love with the Autosol as it was great at cleaning blueing from motorbike exhausts, but just doesn't have enough cut for scratches. I did try some brasso and some fine metal polish for jewelry but it didn't touch the sides. I resisted trying my fine valve lapping paste!!
Thanks.
I suspect you are using this
https://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/autosol-product...
which states it won't achieve a mirrored finish.
I wonder whether this product might be superior?
https://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/autosol-product...
https://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/autosol-product...
which states it won't achieve a mirrored finish.
I wonder whether this product might be superior?
https://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/autosol-product...
belleair302 said:
Menzerna 1000 does an epic job, enough cut to remove scratches but not over aggressive. Do you have a Drexel or a rotary polisher to break down the polish more easily than by hand?
Yes, got a rotary polisher with various sizes pads - a Chinese version of a Rupes type machine.Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff