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Polishing and sealing stainless steel?
tegwin - 10/9/07 at 11:09 PM

I have a stainless chassis and have fitted mirror finish stainless body pannels...

I was going to paint the roll hoop black, but whilst sanding it down today I decided it looks better in polished steel than black...

So...

are there any products that can be used to seal the stainless to keep it looking shiny on the roll hoop?


Confused but excited. - 10/9/07 at 11:22 PM

Stainless shouldn't need anything other than the ocassional polish, same as the side panels. That's why it's called stainless.


tegwin - 10/9/07 at 11:25 PM

Unfortunately the chassis is made of a low grade stainless that doesnt keep its shine....it goes dull after a while.....


Would a coat of spray on automotive laquer sort it?


Hellfire - 10/9/07 at 11:28 PM

Strangely - Stainless Steel does stain and it does corrode also. It's merely rust/corrosion resistant not rust/corrosion proof!

To get a decent key for laquer to adhere will require damaging the surface somewhat, I'd just keep polishing it.

Any pictures?

Steve


BenB - 11/9/07 at 07:11 AM

Presumably if you polish it with a wax-containing polish it'll build up a layer of wax which will stop the oxidisation. Get out your pledge


DarrenW - 11/9/07 at 01:20 PM

Its worth trying maguires all metal polyish. i got a small tub from Halfords. Good stuff and seems to leave a protective layer.

Ive used it on an ali bit of car and also an old stainless steel sink. Quite impressed. As with all types of polish some elbow grease is required.


Angel Acevedo - 11/9/07 at 02:54 PM

There`s a procees called passivation and consists basically in exposing the surface to a diluted acid, which corrodes the "corrode-able" parts on the surface, then you polish and apply light oil just to keep moisture out of the very very small holes..
http://www.pfonline.com/articles/119806.html