Polishing Stainless Steel
 

I tried a search, but couldn't find anything specific to the problem.
I have a couple of flat mirror-finish stainless doors on a pair of under-bed truck boxes. I can get them to sparkle, and literally look like mirrors, but in late evening with a low sun, if you look at them just right, the streaks make them look awful.

What's the best way to avoid this?

Thanx!

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

What type of cloth are you using when applying/removing the polishing product?

I have had great outcomes with microfiber towels, and they generally leave a streak free shine. I'm not sure if this will work or not, but I remember hearing that when cleaning glass with glass cleaner use newspaper. I wonder if you tried this on the bottom of the box (unseen) if this would work?

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

What kind of product are you using to clean/polish them now?

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Flitz.
When I worked on the large motor yachts, that's what they used. With pretty good results too.

http://www.flitz.com/p-16-flitz-polish-paste.aspx

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Flitz is a great product as well, and with the Flitz Power Ball, you should be good to go.

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Thanks for the input! I've been using Wenol and a random orbit buffer with a terry cloth bonnet, then after they haze using a soft terry cloth to wipe off the residue. I'll try the Flitz with the micro-fibre towels.
On the wheels it doesn't show up because of the contours, and 95% of the time the boxes look OK, but on these flat surfaces I just want to cringe when I go past headlights at a light, or at a cruise with a low sun.

Thanks again
Tim

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Well you know Tim.... in order for us to judge these streaks we will need some more shots of your truck. :D

Let us know how it works for you.

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Nate, When I get home I'll get a couple of shots of the boxes. I'm on a laptop right now, and won't get home until Sunday late.
Have a good weekend!

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=347798

if you are getting streaks try using microfiber towels.. and if that keeps it up.. then spray whatever detalier you are "sealing" you shininess with onto the microfiber cloth (just mist it ya dont need much)

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Nate, here's what I'm talking about. The light blue areas in the second pic are streaks. The third pic was from last fall. I just threw that in.

Dammitmitchel, thank you for the link. I read the whole thing. One thing I'm wondering about though. I don't use a sealer, (wax or detailer) for two reasons, one, when I go back to touch up the "bright work" I didn't want anything to contaminate the power ball, and two, I thought any wax might make the streaks worse. Is my thinking wacked? (Well, yes it is, but I mean as far as these SS box doors are concerned. :) )
You can see that they look OK for the most part, but get the light/reflection just so and they look neglected. Everytime I see those smudges I have a "significant emotional event". I did pick up some of those microfiber towels so we'll try it again.

All of this brought up another question; After all the polishing, and you're satisfied with the job, should they be waxed/sealed or left bare?

Thanx

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Tim, I see what you mean about the boxes. (Also, that is one good looking truck!) I'd seem to think that you could use a microfiber towel and aleviate a lot of your problem.

Does anyone have an answer to Tim's question below? I'm not aware of any products you would use to apply over an item after you polished it.

EDIT Tim, I have a product at home, but the name has left me. Let me pull the bottles out tonight and I'll post them tomorrow. It was a two part product my wife purchased at a Goodguy's event. One product was a polish, and the other was a sealer.

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

i would use rain-x detailer and a fresh clean microfiber towel..
the towel will pick up all the residue, and then the rain-x detailer will stop debris and waterspotting..

that's what i use.. and it's freaking great.. IMHO

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Just for info in case you did not know. Most polished stainless steel is electro- polished which is a proprietary procedure and they are not going to tell you how its done. Its like metal erosion to do texture. Done with electricity. I would use the advice above and just polish the heck out of it.

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

mbgmike, actually I had no idea about the electrical part of this. I thought they just had some super slick way of buffing up the doors. Hmmm. I guess that means I can only get close to the way they came out of the box, huh?

Thanks for every one's the input! I'll try it all!

Tim

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

You can get it by hand polishing its just alot harder and takes longer. EP takes out all the contamination in the steel and makes it super clean. Polished by convensional methods, stainless is not clean. EP steel is, thats why its is done in the Pharmacutical and dairy industry. It actually welds easier then the unpolished steel. Just buff away.

If you are polishing bolts and narrow parts use a Beartex wheel (fine)

Great looking truck by the way

Re: Polishing Stainless Steel
 

Tim, here are the two products I picked up from GG's a year ago. It appears to do a pretty nice job.

Master Formula - Metal Gloss (Polishes aluminum, chrome, brass, stainless steel, and more)

Master Formula - Sealer Gloss (Protective Sealer for paint, aluminum, chrome, brass, and stainless steel)