Stainless Steel "refinishing"?

[T56 Impala]

I just picked up, for PENNIES!!!, a 60"x24"x36" stainless steel table. It was a prep table at a local bakery. Along with it came a 60"x12" wall hanging shelf.

Both are well used. Is there a correct way to "refinish" these?

Thanks

 

[Rabbit]

Scotchbrite pad, a little time & elbow grease. Wah-La!

 

[Franz©]

Stainless doesn't require a finish.

Are you asking how to make scratched up dented stainless look new?

 

[T56 Impala]

Its got one or two small dents in it. I would like to get them out but its okay if I don't have the skill to do it. The surface is scratched up a bit. I know you don't go against the grain of the metal but was wondering what would give me the best looking "finish". Scotch bright, steel wool, 2000 or higher grit sand paper or something else? Could I use a rotory or DA buffer with some kind of polish or would that mark it up too much?

 

[MXtras]

Your best bet is to use ScotchBrite.

Scott

 

[brianpgriset]

As far as the dents go, they will need to be shrunk back down flat. The most controllable method I've heard of for metal shrinking is using what is called a shrinking disk or "sun chaser" disk. Look on ebay and the metalmeet forums (www.metalmeet.com) to find out what it is and how it works. Doesn't require any real special tools, and can be bought for about $30 last time I checked.

 

[danski0224]

The grain can be redone with a Dynabrade grinder and the proper abrasive wheel.

Not for the faint of wallet.

 

[jayoldschool]

Won't a hammer and dolly knock out the dents to at least get them respectable?

BTW, I've got a T56 in my 95 SS, too! It was the first one in Canada. Are you on the SS forum?

 

[T56 Impala]

You use the same handle on the forum don't you? I used to be on there. Been a while since I was around. BBHP13 was my handle. I was one of the first back in the days of the old xerox list. Those tanks sure can be a lot of fun can't they!

What clutch setup are you running? I ran the SPEC Stage 3 for a while. Well, until I pulled the 3rd one out for replacement. They only lasted me about 4000 miles. I ended up with the LT4 setup and never looked back.

 

[jayoldschool]

Yep, same name. I use the LT1 flywheel and disc combined with the LT4 PP. It has worked flawlessly for over 30 000 HARD miles

 

[Elroy]

Back to the stainless

If you want to "spot" finish (which Elroy doubts you'll be happy with) you need to stay with a hand finish only. Some wet dry paper or scotch bright. For an over all refinish, Elroy would recommend a "flap wheel" on a die grinder. A wheel with a combination of sand paper and scotch bright. Your biggest problem will be keeping the finish "in-line" but it will yield good quick results. A DA would also be a good method but it will yield a different finish that what the mill applied.

 

[Franz©]

Brush finish ss is worked with a sreaightline sander followed by a nylon brush and grinding compound.

 

[T56 Impala]

I cleaned up the shelf with the SB pad and some lightly soapy water. Followed up with some stainless polish that I .... aquired......from the company I used to work for. I had cases of this stuff from an closed contract. It works real well but isn't made anymore. Oh well. It turned out GREAT! There are a few deep scratches that I am not going to worry about. As for the dents, I used ahammer and dolly to pop them right out. I mean "POP" they did! This is some seriously think stainless.

Thanks for the help!

 

[gdf_77]

on monster garage awhile ago Jesse had a guy use a "graining" tool which was just a belt sander to put the "grain" back into a stainless tank. I dont know what grit a person would want to use to get the desired results. maybe some trail and error.

 

[EddieB1]

It's been a while since this topic has be discussed so maybe someone has
a new take on how to put a nice #4 finish on SS. I have a range hood that
needs a nice even finish applied to it. There are angles and radius edges to deal with. Anyone have thoughts or referrals?

 

[danski0224]

Same as my response above: Dynabrade.

There are probably other companies that offer similar tooling and abrasives.

If you don't do it for a living, it will be cost prohibitive to tool up for a small job.