Reconditioning stainless steel countertop

[tiggen]

I am looking for a stainless steel countertop for my outdoor grilling area. I just found a restaurant supply store that has a bunch of countertops for cheap, but they are well used with all kinds of scratches and stains.

Is there an easy way for a semi-handy guy like me to recondition SS, or am I gonna quickly get over my head? Any advice is welcome.

 

[rsanter]

Shotch brite and cleanser
Work it in one direction and you will have a brushed look when done.
If thats not enough than you can get a scotch brite belt for a belt sander.

You want polished? Then take an automotive type buffer to it after the above step

Bob

 

[Tucko]

Shotch brite and cleanser
Work it in one direction and you will have a brushed look when done.
If thats not enough than you can get a scotch brite belt for a belt sander.

You want polished? Then take an automotive type buffer to it after the above step

Bob

Be careful here. This is a tedious and painstaking process that will kill your hands. If you start the job, then change your mind, you'll have a half finished product. I've done this sort of thing before on architectural stainless, and it's no fun. If it's just an outdoor BBQ area, I personally would just let it be, and concentrate on cooking some big fat tri tip......

 

[metal1313]

when i did a table that the top was pretty beat up i used scotch brite pads on my grinder, working up tp the finest grit i could get. it came out with a nice pattern but not the directional brushed look. i decided that was too much of a pain in the **** to do and knew it would get scrubbed with aggressive steel pads on a reg basis so the random pattern was better

 

[mjb]

when i did a table that the top was pretty beat up i used scotch brite pads on my grinder, working up tp the finest grit i could get. it came out with a nice pattern but not the directional brushed look. i decided that was too much of a pain in the **** to do and knew it would get scrubbed with aggressive steel pads on a reg basis so the random pattern was better

This.

I also use the Bristle Disc to clean up tables and sinks.

 

[PETE14]

How big is the surface?

Another option to the brushed look would be a DA type auto body sander with the above mentioned scotch bright or bristle disk. That ought to make quick work of it and give a "random" pattern.

Post pics if you do it!

Pete

 

[tiggen]

Well, I haven't bought the ss counter top yet, and now I'm not sure I will at this point. I think I'm gonna go with wood.

I did buy some aluminum sheet pans, and they were nasty. I almost hit them with the wire brush, but Bar Keepers Friend and a lot of elbow grease got it done. Will try the bristle wheel and scotch brite pads on the stainless steel bowls I got. Thanks for the responses!