With force, the rolled bundle retains its shape. Prepared 5 nozzles marked P400, P500, P800, P1000, P1200. There are large transverse scratches. Shaft torque is highly dependent on speed.

Up to 12,000 rpm, the speed drops when pressed, and above 20,000 rpm, the skin wears out quickly. Sand perpendicular to the scratches until they disappear. Such a nozzle is quickly updated and provides the necessary pressure on the surface.

A lot of things for the home master in this Chinese store.

The worn and greasy part is cut off. The direction of grinding periodically changes to perpendicular. So the material is removed more efficiently and chaotic scratches are better removed. Increasing the paper number. In the process of grinding, the paper wears out, its aggressiveness decreases, and a large abrasive crumbles. Therefore, less pressure should be applied to the new paper so as not to get deep scratches. Coarse paste for fine grinding. 320 is all that was indicated on the package.

Before changing to a thinner paste, the polishing area must be cleaned of its residues. Another no name paste. The composition contains a dye. One can only guess about the type of abrasive. It is not necessary to do this, the paste is applied only to the nozzle. Noticeable grinding on hastily. Sanding is better.

Metal polishing is more than sanding with fine abrasives. There are also chemical processes (dissolution of oxide films by substances that are part of the pastes) and thermal (thermal softening of the material and smearing it over the metal). Before polishing, the surface must be cleaned of scratches, gradually reducing the size of the abrasive. Before moving on to finer sandpaper, make sure that all scratches are removed. Depending on the depth of the scratches, the number of sandpaper is selected, from which grinding will begin. If there is a medium paste GOI No. 3, sandpaper with a number greater than P1200 can be omitted. their grain size is comparable, and she sandpaper with a small grain size is quickly salted.

For polishing steel, the optimum nozzle pressure is 1-2 kg/cm^2 and peripheral speed is 30-35 m/s. Peripheral speed formula. V=(3.14* D* n)/60 (m/s); D-diameter of the nozzle (m); n-speed (rpm). In the case shown, V=(3.14*0.01*15000)/60=7.8 m/s. This is 4 times less than recommended. Those. it is possible to increase the diameter up to 4 cm without loss of quality. At the same time, it will quickly crumble from cotton wool, but it will withstand leather or cotton threads.

Polishing at a higher speed and pressure than recommended reduces the quality of the surface, but increases the amount of metal removed, so this can be used at the initial stage of polishing. To obtain a better polishing, the speed and pressure are reduced to values ​​lower than those recommended.

During the polishing process, the binders included in the paste melt and act as a lubricant in the process of cutting the material with an abrasive, and also remove heat from the surface. At the same time, the polishing nozzle itself heats up and the binder begins to penetrate deep into it, leaving the abrasive grains without lubrication and heat sink. After that, the grains, having lost the binder, fall off and leave scratches on the treated metal. For the same reason, the paste should not be applied to metal. The nozzle passing through the metal cannot capture all the material, and the captured abrasive grains are not held well enough, moreover, the grains themselves are not evenly distributed over it. Too much pasta isn't good either. It simply slides over the binder layer between the metal and the nozzle, and the abrasive grains float in the layer without coming into close contact with the surfaces.

Since the binder must melt for normal operation of the paste, such pastes will work only in a certain temperature range, when the binder has already melted, but is still thick enough to hold the abrasive grains on the nozzle. For most pastes, the range starts at 70 degrees Celsius. And it is for this reason that polishing by hand is extremely inefficient. For normal operation, this must be melted, add any liquid oil and mix. Conventional softening solvents are not suitable. quickly evaporate and the product thickens.

Source: youtube.be/lMjLMd1dY8Q

Matting and polishing aluminum

We have been working with manufacturers of metal products for a long time, and we know that appearance products is very important. When it comes to technical products, everyone here is already accustomed to polishing, satin or matting the surface.
But sometimes our partners have to work with decor items. And sometimes the customer wants the surface to look unusual.
One of the options for this unusual solution we offer you below.
The so-called "muddy polishing".
This time we processed flat aluminum parts.
For aluminum, one of the most convenient processing methods is an orbital sander. It allows you to get the most even and monotonous surface on such a soft and capricious metal.


For pre-grinding aluminum, we used our matting technology, only changed the number and graininess of the circles used:
Grinding wheels Velcro AO (aluminum oxide) d125, grit P180- the first step by which we remove all defects and level the surface.
Grinding wheels Velcro AO (aluminum oxide) d125, grit P220- reduction of roughness.
Grinding wheels Velcro AO (aluminum oxide) d125, grit P400- reduction of roughness.
Grinding wheels Velcro AO (aluminum oxide) d125, grit P600- final grinding.


After processing the OShM, the surface already becomes uniform and beautiful. But this time the task was to get something new.
It was decided to polish our workpiece from above using the same eccentric machine.
If you polish the surface with a conventional polishing angle grinder, it will be very difficult to achieve an ideal result. Such a process will take much more time.


Surface after P600.
It is better to use liquid polishing pastes for polishing with OSM, since hard paste is difficult to apply to the polishing wheel during orbital movement.
The polisher itself should also be used softer.
We recommend:
Polishing wheel Finesse-it d125 soft felt
Liquid polishing pastes G-Polish Pink
We apply the paste on the circle and proceed to polishing.


After polishing, the surface looks dirty and the gloss is almost invisible. This is because there is a lot of paste left on its surface.


To remove the remaining paste, use Viennese lime with a microfiber cloth:
Vienna lime
Cleaning cloth


Now the surface looks great.


Aluminum is a fairly soft metal. Therefore, to prevent aluminum from oxidizing and tarnishing, we varnished the product.
Possible different variants finishing such a surface - you can grind to a finer grain or polish in two steps to get more gloss.
But that's a completely different story.

Almost everyone in the house has stainless steel items that lose their attractiveness over the years and fade under the influence of sunlight, dirt and other factors. This material is actively used both for outdoor and for interior decoration. In this article, we will try to talk in detail about how to polish stainless steel.

2 How to polish stainless steel?

There are two options for polishing stainless steel products.

2.1 Option number 1. Specialized assistance

Now there are a lot of companies that provide assistance in case of problems with stainless steel corrosion. If you do not have enough time to get rid of the stains on the product yourself, you can contact the experts.

2.2 Option number 2. Polishing at home

At home, you can also carry out all the necessary manipulations for positive effect and restoration of the appearance of the product. There are also several ways to do this. Next, we will look at how you can polish stainless steel at home.

3 Polishing process

To polish stainless steel at home, you will have to spend a fairly large amount of time and effort. If successful, they will be fully justified, and you will be able to restore the former shine to the products.

3.1 Primary processing

Before starting work, it is imperative to thoroughly clean the product, as it may contain grease and other substances that clog gaps in the metal. To do this, you can use a simple dishwashing gel:

• Detergent must first be diluted with water to obtain a soapy solution.
• Wipe the surface of the metal product without leaving it to dry completely.
• Apply the solution to continue wiping.
• Wash away soapy area running water.
• The product must be dried naturally so that stains do not appear on it.

Some foodstuffs, liquids with chemicals and even household tools will help to polish products at home. With their help, you can polish stainless steel to a mirror.

3.2 Olive oil

This method is suitable for use on products that have lost their brightness. You will need olive oil and a soft cloth.

• Oil should be applied to a clean cloth.
• After that, spread the oil over the surface in circular motions, evenly distributing it.
• The oiled cloth must be pressed firmly and the previous procedure repeated several times.

You need to polish with this method until you feel changes in the structure of the product.

Be careful as the surface may become dull from the oil. Its excess must be removed immediately upon completion of the above operation. With a circular motion with a dry cloth, you can easily wash off the remaining oil.

3.3 Flour

Polishing stainless steel with flour is possible only on the condition that the work will be done on flat surfaces. In particular, it can be tried on pots and sinks.

Mode of application:

• The product must be sprinkled with flour, covering the entire surface.
• Spread the flour evenly over the metal.
• Polish the stainless steel in circular motions with a dry cloth.
• At the end of the process, you need to remove all the flour from the surface using a toothbrush.

4 Small mechanization

You can polish stainless steel to a mirror not only in special companies or at a factory, but also at home. For this, small mechanization will suffice.

This method is suitable in order to give products an attractive and presentable appearance after removing flaws.

To polish stainless steel, you will have to use the following:

• "grinder", or angle grinder;
• felt or felt circles;
• stone or sandpaper;
• polishing agent;
• grinding wheels with different grits.

4.1 Polishing steps

Polishing of products takes place in several stages. Initially, you need to remove all excess metal at the seams. An angle grinder is perfect for this. For her, you will have to purchase a circle on a fiber basis. Its grain size must not exceed P60.

If the surface required product smooth, this intermediate step can be ignored.
Next, you need to grind the metal with another circle, the grain size of which is P120. This will get rid of the streaks that appeared after working with other grains.

The size of the abrasive must be reduced each time, which will make it possible to make the surface smoother.

If you do not have the right circle, you can easily make it yourself. To do this, you will need a felt or felt circle, on which you need to apply wood glue. You can also just rub sandpaper and stone together.

After carrying out the work, you need to remove all traces of grinding.

Take a polish and apply it to the surface.

Next, you need to grind the material or product already using a paste. You need to remove risks consistently. If over time the surface does not become smoother, the speed of the grinder can be gradually increased. Do not abuse the speed, as this can lead to overheating of the metal and the appearance of spots on it.

4.2 Mechanical polishing by hand

Due to the presence of various irregularities on most of the products, it is often necessary to polish them manually. You will have to be patient, as polishing stainless steel to a mirror with the method described below can take a long time. In the process of work you will need:

• abrasive paste;
• soft felt.

Polishing steps

• Apply the paste to the felt.
• Polish the product to a shine, carefully treating the most problematic areas.

In order to protect yourself from the negative effects of the substances that make up the paste, use a face mask and gloves.

5 Chemical method of polishing stainless steel

This method is great for working with small parts that are difficult to polish by hand. The method does not require effort and physical labor. There are several methods for preparing a chemical liquid for polishing products at home.

5.1 Option #1

The solution must be prepared with the most accurate dosage:

• Sulfuric acid - 230 milliliters.
• Hydrochloric acid - 70 milliliters.
• Nitric acid - 40 milliliters.

In 1 liter of solution, add 6 grams of acid-based black dye, 6 grams of sodium chloride, 10 grams of wood glue.

It is important to adhere to the temperature of the liquid from 65 to 70 degrees.

Stainless steel should lie in the composition for up to 30 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination.

5.2 Option #2

This solution must also be prepared in compliance with the proportions in the total volume:

• Methyl orange - 1.5 percent.
• Nitric acid - 4-5 percent.
• Hydrochloric acid - 3-4 percent.
• Orthophosphoric acid - 20-30 percent.

The part in the solution must be kept for up to 10 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination, at a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees.

5.3 Option #3

The solution is made according to the recipe for one liter of the volume of the finished liquid:

• Hydrochloric acid - 660 grams.
• Sulfuric acid - 230 grams.
• Acid orange dye - 25 grams.

The solution must be brought to a temperature of 70-75 degrees and keep stainless steel products in it for about 3 minutes.

All of the above components enter into an aggressive reaction when it enters the human body. Wear full respiratory, face, hand and eye protection.

Polishing steps

• A part that has been previously cleaned of contamination must be immersed in a solution consisting of reagents and clean distilled water.
• The solution must be constantly stirred, which will ensure a complete chemical reaction.
• After the time specified in each option, the product must be removed and all reagents washed off. After that, it is recommended to wipe the object with a polish applied to a napkin.
• Under the influence of reagents that remain in the pores on the surface, the roughness on the stainless steel will completely disappear.

Before starting work, you need to find out the brand of metal, since its composition may depend on it. According to it, it is worth selecting reagents and determining their concentration in a solution.

6 Care of stainless steel

Steel after polishing looks beautiful and impressive. In order for it to retain its visual qualities, it must be constantly monitored, as scuffs and stains may appear again in the future.

To prevent the appearance of flaws on products, polishes are most often used. Substances of this type are best used immediately after polishing stainless steel. In addition, it is recommended to use them with a certain frequency. This will make it possible to maintain a glossy surface for a long time.

The product must be applied to a napkin and spread over the surface. It is important to do all the movements in a circle to avoid the appearance of streaks.

Excess funds should be removed, as stains may remain from them.

If you decide to use a special tool, you should not set it to a speed of more than 1500 rpm, as this may damage the product.

6.1 Frequency of maintenance of stainless steel products

• If you are going to purchase for your car chrome parts, they should be polished no more than 2 times a year. If you do this constantly, the coating will simply wear out, and traces of corrosion will begin to appear on objects faster.
• The use of mechanical impact devices on stainless steel is often not recommended, as microcracks may appear on the parts. It is in them that the liquid most often gets.
• It is recommended to use chemicals for cleaning and polishing stainless steel at home no more than once a year. Vapors from reagents adversely affect a person's health, even if he adheres to safety standards.
• GOI paste ("Paris Greens") has a relatively low efficiency, which is why it is recommended to use it only in the absence of other substances or solutions. It has a negative effect on the body, which is why it is important to use a protective face mask and gloves.

7 Expert opinion

“It is best to immediately take a smaller skin and work with it for a long time. This will get rid of the appearance of large scratches on the surface and preserve the structure of the metal. You can wind a woolen thread on a drill, which will become an analogue of a “grinder”. It can also be smeared with paste, which will enhance the effect and speed up the process., - writes Internet user Vladimir.

Polishing is the final process of manufacturing a part, carried out using various ways in order to remove the minimum layer of metal to achieve a mirror finish of surfaces. These are interrelated physical, chemical, electrical influences, the choice of which depends on the type of material, the tool used and the characteristics of the external environment. The required quality is achieved by replacing abrasives and methods of exposure. Polishing time depends on the initial quality of the metal.

GOST requirements for metal polishing

Requirements for the quality of metal and coatings are defined in GOST 9.301-86. Surfaces must be free of pits, pores, rust, cracks after grinding, scale, and burrs. There are no regulatory requirements for the degree of gloss.

At enterprises engaged in metal processing, input control of surfaces is carried out. If necessary, the following is carried out:

• treatment with compressed air containing an abrasive (steel shot) (rust and scale are removed);
• metal brushing to remove oxides and pickling sludge;
• degreasing heated in organic solvents (chlorinated carbons) to remove grease;
• degreasing in alkali solutions (removal of mineral oils);
• degreasing in electrolyte (electrochemical).

At home, surfaces are wiped with a solvent, treated with a file or a grinder with a disk with the appropriate grain size.

Metal polishing class

The polishing class is determined by the surface roughness (roughness in microns) of a particular part. The roughness corresponds to the area of ​​use. In total, there are 14 purity classes, which are indicated in the drawings by an equilateral triangle. Numerical values ​​of roughness after metal polishing are specified in GOST 2789-59.

Metal polishing class

In industry, special instruments are used to measure the height of irregularities: profilers and microscopes. At home, the roughness is determined "by eye".

Existing metal polishing methods

The most common ways to polish metal:

• mechanical (abrasive);
• chemical (pastes, solutions);
• electrochemical (in electrolytes);
• ultrasonic.

Mechanical polishing of metal can be dry or wet.

The process can be carried out:

• manually;
• in semi-automatic mode;
• automatically.

Important! With manual processing, you can monitor the process and influence the result. It is impossible to achieve high quality and productivity.

Semi-automatic is a special equipment and a qualified specialist. Processing is carried out on metal polishing machines, technological parameters are changed manually. With automatic processing in batch production, human participation is not required. The work is carried out very quickly and with high precision. The amount of scrap is minimized.

Hand polishing small parts at home. The paste is applied to a rag and rubbed on the surface in a circular motion. For large surfaces, grinders (grinders) or drills equipped with nozzles of various grain sizes are most often used.

Various attachments can be installed on the disc. If the nozzle is made of felt or fabric, it is moistened with paste. A professional tool is used in auto repair shops, as it allows you to process surfaces of sufficiently large sizes. In small metalworking enterprises, machines equipped with polishing belts or felt (cloth) circles are used.

Mechanical methods also include abrasive technology for polishing metal in vibrating drums filled with dry abrasive or solution. Rotation and vibration can quickly reduce roughness. If the method is dry, then the solution is replaced with oak or ash sawdust, pieces of felt or suede. If a solution is used, then in addition to polishing steel balls, alkali can be added to it (for example, a solution of laundry soap), which speeds up the process.

But mechanical polishing has a number of disadvantages:

• there is a possibility of the introduction of abrasives into the structure of the metal;
• high installation and resource costs;
• processing consists of several stages;
• the process is difficult to manage;
• Requires a significant amount of manual labor and time.

Important! Higher potential for chemical polishing, especially when it comes to elements decorative finishes premises from various alloys or expensive metals.

When using this method, metal products are immersed in solutions of a certain temperature. During the passage of chemical reactions, the roughness melts within a few minutes. There is almost no manual labor, power tools and metal polishing devices are not required. The surface is processed uniformly, the configuration of the part does not matter.

But there are also disadvantages. Mirror gloss is not achieved (the surface is rather matte), the solution needs to be changed frequently, it is quite aggressive (most often it is an acid). Work can be carried out only in overalls, the room must be equipped with a high-quality ventilation system.

In electrochemical polishing, parts are also immersed in a solution, but an electric current is passed through it. Since the surface is uneven, the oxide film is thicker in the micropits. The solution processes even parts of the surface with a thin layer of oxide faster. At the end of the process, the surface is perfectly smooth. Small time costs give an opportunity to increase productivity.

The disadvantage is the high consumption of electricity. If the surface is rough, mechanical grinding is required. It is necessary to carefully monitor the quality and temperature of the solution, the current density. Solutions are created from acids, so safety regulations must be observed. To reduce costs, it is desirable to pre-process the material by mechanical means.

At large enterprises, they try to automate and robotize polishing. This can be done using ultrasound, which increases productivity by 30 times and allows you not to purchase circles and pastes. Energy consumption is lower than when using a chemical or electrochemical method.

Metal polishing products

The technology of manual polishing of metal requires the purchase of equipment (drills, grinders) and various nozzles.

The main means for mechanically polishing metals are various pastes containing silicon, zirconium or titanium carbide, diamond chips, chromium oxide. Hard pastes must be diluted with oil. The costs are high, since the process consists of several stages, each of which requires different nozzles.

If a chemical or electrochemical method is used, large containers and acids are needed for the preparation of solutions, overalls. Nitric, hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric acid, glycerin, benzyl alcohol are used. For household this is quite an expensive purchase, so chemicals used only in enterprises.

Metal polishing machines

All polishing machines are divided into 2 groups: with circles and tapes. Belts and circles consist of abrasives, the choice takes into account the requirements for surface roughness after processing. The equipment is semi-automatic or automatic. Automatic machines can become part of the lines used in mass production.

Any machine is equipped with a bed (platform) that does not change position during operation. An electric motor is mounted on the platform, which drives the shaft. You can work with grinding abrasives and circles. The sharpening angle is adjusted manually or automatically. Some designs are equipped with a water tank needed for cooling.

Available machines for processing raw materials (sheets of steel, aluminium, brass, profiles) and finished products:

• ship fittings;
• plumbing equipment;
• metal cornices and railings;
• door handles, parts of candlesticks;
• bicycle parts;
• tables and chairs;
• mufflers for motorcycles and cars.

The power of industrial models is 700-950 W, they are connected to a 220 V network. The rotational speed is 90-150 rpm. Adjustment is made depending on the characteristics of the material being processed and the format of the circle. At the first stages of processing, large circles are used, small ones are used for refinement. The package includes a cable and an extension cord. During operation, tools for measuring angles, stabilizers, pastes may be required.

Metal polishing will help to significantly improve the aesthetic appearance of the product. If it is not possible to turn to professionals, then you can polish yourself, at home, the main thing is to follow the technological process.

The process of polishing to a mirror at home

There are several proven methods for polishing metal at home. One of them is chemical (without the use of mechanisms). It does not require much effort, the main thing is that it follows the safety requirements. Metal polishing at home by a chemical method occurs in the following order:

1. Sulfuric acid is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20. The volume of the resulting mixture should be sufficient to completely cover the thing to be polished;
2. We lower the polished object into the resulting solution for several minutes, and, having taken it out, wash it in running water. Next, place in a container filled with sawdust;
3. We lower the metal object dried in sawdust for 2-3 seconds into nitric acid, after which we again thoroughly rinse;
4. After another drying in sawdust, carefully wipe the metal.

After such simple procedures, the metal object will look like new. A smooth and shiny surface will be perceived by the eye as a mirror.

TIP: Before lowering a metal thing into acid, you need to remove all elements made of other materials from it. Other materials can be adversely affected by acid and destroyed.

One of the most popular types of home metal polishing is processing with GOI paste. This paste was created in the last century and has been successfully used to this day. Initially, it has a solid shape and comes in varying degrees of granularity. For better application, it is recommended to dilute it with a few drops of engine oil.

For manual polishing of soft metals, it is recommended to use a soft flannel cloth coated with a fine-grained paste. Ferrous metal can be polished with a piece of canvas or denim with a coarse paste. For faster results, instead of a rag, you can use a felt circle attached to hand drill, or a wooden block of small sizes.

Required equipment and chemicals

To get a good result at home, you will have to spend a little money and stock up on some chemicals, devices and mechanisms. Depending on the method by which the metal will be polished to a mirror finish with your own hands, you will need several items from this list:

• Sulphuric acid;
• Nitric acid;
• Water;
• Sawdust;
• Paste GOI;
• Felt circle;
• Drill;
• Wooden block;
• Textile.

polishing process

Polishing metal to a mirror finish at home is a rather lengthy process, the main thing here is not speed. If the process (mechanical) is carried out without the use of electrical assistants (after all, some metal objects can be “wiped”), then each square centimeter of the product should be carefully and for quite a long time, with extreme caution.

Advice! For items with recesses, you can use an old toothbrush smeared with GOI paste. It is convenient for her to get to hard-to-reach places.

Safety

When using a chemical polishing method, be sure to use special gloves, protective equipment respiratory tract, special dishes that do not react with acid. Polishing metal to a mirror finish with a grinder or drill should be carried out using eye protection. And most importantly, you must strictly adhere to technological process. It is necessary to always have a first-aid kit on hand, with which you can provide first aid before the arrival of the ambulance, although it is advisable to prevent such cases.

Result

Grinding and polishing of metal at home, carried out in compliance with all technical requirements, able to completely restore the appearance of a metal object. With minimal financial costs and a certain skill, you can achieve high results.

If you need to compare your work with the ideal result, you can always watch a video on the Internet - “Grinding and polishing metal at home”, where you can find lessons on various polishing methods. They tell in detail about all the nuances of polishing metals at home.

How to polish stainless steel: ways and means to give an expressive shine. Steel polishing

Polishing stainless steel - methods and their differences + video

Polishing for stainless steel helps us renew the surface and make it shiny very quickly in a simple mechanical way. But this is not always effective. What methods are more effective and how accessible are they for domestic use?

1 What changes does polishing lead to?

Polishing is the final stage in the manufacture of various products. This process consists in melting the surface layer with a thickness of 0.01–0.03 mm. As a result, all minor defects (microcracks, scratches, shells, etc.) are eliminated. The surface is perfectly smooth and reflects light. A similar effect is achieved due to the fact that the depth of the irregularities is less than the wavelength of visible light.

It is possible to achieve a mirror surface of the metal in other ways, for example, by honing. But they usually require special equipment, materials and knowledge. Therefore, their use is justified only when it is necessary to ensure the specified accuracy. Polishing is much easier. For this operation, quite simple machines, and a polishing tool can be made even at home. Felt, leather, soft fabric proved to be excellent. Special pastes are sold on the market and in stores, made on the basis of chromium oxide, tripolite or crocus. These materials are used for the mechanical method, but there are also chemical methods for surface treatment in special solutions.




Proper preparation of the product is very important. The presence of various defects is not allowed on the surface, therefore, before polishing, the grinding stage (removal of a thicker layer) follows. To find hidden flaws, polishing begins with the most "weak" areas. For example, in welded structures, these are seams where microcracks or shells are most often found. Polishing of stainless steel, however, as well as other materials, is done in several approaches, each time selecting a working material of a smaller grain size. Moreover, it is desirable to reduce the number of operations to a minimum.

2 Mechanical methods - a classic accessible to everyone

This is the easiest way to achieve a mirror-smooth surface. It consists in the following. High speed rotation of the polishing material and the resulting friction leads to an increase in temperature, as a result, the thinnest surface layer is melted and becomes perfectly smooth.




There are two types of polishing - rough and fine. The first is made with coarser-grained materials and is necessary to eliminate surface roughness. As a working tool, special pastes or tapes are used, on which abrasive particles are applied. Fine polishing is the final stage. In this case, special powders, fine polishing pastes, which additionally include surfactants, have found their use. They are applied only to soft circles made of elastic material, with which they rub the workpiece.

You can do the polishing by hand, but it will take a very long time. Therefore, you will have to get a special grinding machine. Processing begins with the most coarse-grained material, and then each subsequent time it is necessary to reduce the size of the abrasive by half. In this case, it is better not to set the speed more than 4500 rpm. Finishing polishing begins with areas where small scratches are visible.




However, if we are talking about small elements of a simple shape, then it is possible to avoid electropolishing stainless steel and use the manual method. In this case, a special paste is applied to a piece of felt or other soft cloth, and the surface is rubbed in a circular motion. Also manual method cannot be avoided when processing hard-to-reach places where Sander can't get it.

3 Chemical polishing - features and recipes

With this method, the product is immersed in a chemical solution and kept for a certain time. It is also very important to observe the temperature regime. As a result of chemical processes, microroughnesses on the surface are melted, and it turns out to be perfectly smooth. The main advantage of this method is the speed of polishing, usually the process takes several minutes. You also do not need a special power tool, a power source. You make a minimum of effort, unlike the manual method. In addition, the surface is evenly polished regardless of the configuration. The liquid solution penetrates even the most secluded parts of the part.

With all the advantages, there are also some disadvantages. Firstly, it is less glossy, so this polishing is only applicable when the part does not need a mirror surface. Secondly, the solution is short-lived, so you have to work intensively after its preparation. Thirdly, the mixture is very aggressive, so Special attention safety needs to be taken into account. Work is carried out only in special clothing and with good ventilation of the room. Acid-based solutions are used for chemical polishing of stainless steel.




Composition No. 1

660 g/l hydrochloric acid, 230 g/l sulfuric acid and 25 g/l acid orange dye are mixed. We heat the solution to 70–75 ° C and immerse the part in it. It is enough to hold it for about 3 minutes. In this case, it is advisable to periodically mix the mixture or shake the product, otherwise gas bubbles may accumulate in some areas of the surface, which will adversely affect the quality of polishing.

All recipes assume the use of concentrated acids.

Composition No. 2

You can also add surfactants (surfactants), glycerin and benzyl alcohol to the solution. The mixture includes 25-35 parts of phosphoric, 5 hours of nitric and hydrochloric, 0.5 hours of sulfosalicylic acid and 0.5 hours of disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). It also requires 1 hour of glycerin, and the content of benzyl alcohol does not exceed 0.1 hours. Triethanolamine, ethylene glycol and oxyphos are used as surfactants, the content of these substances is not more than 0.015; 0.017 and 0.01 parts, respectively. The stainless steel product is preliminarily degreased with an alkaline solution, then washed in running water and dried. In the meantime, heat the mixture to 80 ° C and immerse the part in it for a maximum of 3 minutes.




Composition No. 3

In this case, 20–30% orthophosphoric, 4–5% nitric and about 4% hydrochloric acid are taken, and 1.5% methyl orange is also included. Everything else is distilled water. The solution is heated to a maximum of 25 °C and the processing time varies from 5 to 10 minutes. To improve the quality of polishing, the product must be moved periodically.

4 Electrochemical polishing - what will change the presence of current?

During electrochemical polishing of stainless steel, the product is also immersed in a solution, but only in this case, an electric current is passed through it. There is a thin oxide film on the metal, its thickness varies over the entire surface due to the presence of microcavities and microprotrusions. It is thicker in the recesses. The acid solution reacts more intensively in places where this protective layer becomes thinner. Due to this difference in the reaction rate, the surface is perfectly smooth and significantly best quality than after machining. Coatings have a fine-grained structure and are devoid of pores, which significantly reduces the coefficient of friction.

The advantages of this method include high surface quality, excellent performance. Electrochemical polishing does not require physical effort as in mechanical processing, in addition, the degreasing step can be eliminated. The surface is polished very quickly. Plus to everything electroplated coatings have excellent adhesion to mechanically polished surfaces.




But the disadvantages can be written down the dependence on electricity and its consumption. In addition, the product must be pre-sanded mechanically. Electrochemical polishing is sensitive to the quality of the composition, electrolyte temperature, exposure time and current density. As in the chemical method, you will have to work with compounds that are harmful to the body, so we must pay due attention to safety precautions. For electrochemical polishing of stainless steels, electrolytes based on sulfuric, chromic and phosphoric acids are mainly used.

Composition No. 1

730 g/l of phosphoric acid and no more than 700 g/l of sulfuric acid are taken. Triethanolamine 4–6 g/l is added and quite a bit of catapine (0.5–1.0). The solution is heated to a temperature of at least 60 °C and not more than 80 °C. A current with a density of 20 to 50 A/dm2 is conducted through the product. It takes about five minutes to do electrochemical polishing.




Composition No. 2

Parts made of chromium-nickel-molybdenum or chromium-nickel stainless steel are placed in a composition of orthophosphoric and sulfuric acids, taken in a ratio of 65% and 15%, respectively. Another 12% glycerin, 5% chromic anhydride and purified water are added (the remaining 3%). The process proceeds at a temperature of 45 to 70 °C and a current density of about 7 A/dm2. The holding time depends on a number of factors. It is enough to polish welded products for only 10–12 minutes, and after sandblasting, you need to soak in the solution for about half an hour.

5 Plasma polishing - difficult but effective

There is another surface treatment method based on the processes in the metal when it is immersed in a solution and at the same time exposed to high voltage. Unlike the previous method, only environmentally friendly compounds based on ammonium salts are used.




The essence of plasma polishing of stainless steels is as follows. The product must be a positive anode. When exposed high voltage more than 200 V, the electrolyte begins to boil right at the surface of the part, which leads to the formation of a thin vapor-gas shell (50-100 microns). Electric current, when passing through this film, contributes to the occurrence of plasma processes. In places of microprotrusions, the electric field strength increases significantly, which leads to the appearance of pulsed discharges.




Plasma polishing removes the thinnest layer with a high content of foreign inclusions from the product. As a result, the surface has a mirror shine, has high adhesive properties. In addition, this method combines three operations at once: degreasing, etching and surface activation. However, to achieve the desired result, the surface of the product must be carefully prepared. Any defects, risks, scratches, etc. after such processing will not be eliminated, but, on the contrary, will become even more noticeable. Therefore, preliminary rough manual polishing cannot be avoided.

tutmet.ru

Do-it-yourself metal polishing to a mirror finish

Stainless steel objects have firmly entered our lives. These are interior elements on the street and at home, various dishes at home and much more. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon with an admixture of special elements. High resistance to negative factors steel acquires the external environment thanks to these elements. But under the influence of various factors, even such a strong metal can lose its original appearance. How to polish to a mirror finish? If such a need arose, then you have two options:

• Contact a specialized company that provides this kind of service.
• Do it yourself at home.

Let's look at how metal is polished to a mirror finish with our own hands in different ways at home.

Preparing for polishing

First you need to properly clean the product. You can use dishwashing detergent for this:

1. Dilute detergent in water.
2. Clean the stainless steel surface with soapy water.
3. Rinse thoroughly and dry the product.

Polishing with olive oil

This method is suitable for polishing tarnished products. All you need is some olive oil and a soft rag or paper towel:

• Apply a little oil to the cloth and spread it so that the entire surface is covered with an oil film.
• Press the cloth firmly against the surface and polish the stainless steel product with smooth movements.

Important! Continue until you see a noticeable change in structure.

• Now you need to remove the remaining oil. For this, napkins or a dry towel are suitable. Wipe the surface until it is completely dry.

Flour polishing

How else can you polish metal at home? For these purposes, you can use flour, however, this method is more suitable for flat surfaces, for example, for pots, knives or sinks:

• Dust the entire surface with flour and spread it evenly over the metal.
• Polish with a soft cloth in a circular motion.

Important! For greater effect, you can use an old toothbrush.

• Shake off any remaining flour.

Chemical method

You can polish metal at home using a chemical method. To do this, you need to prepare a special liquid. There are several ways to do this:

• For such a solution, you will need 230 ml of sulfuric acid, 70 ml of hydrochloric acid, 40 ml of nitric acid. In 1 liter of solution, add 6 g of acid black dye, 10 g of wood glue and 6 g of sodium chloride. Bring this mixture to a temperature of 65-70 degrees and place your stainless steel items there for a period of 5 to 30 minutes.
• The solution is prepared in the following ratios: phosphoric acid 20-30%, hydrochloric acid - 3-4%, nitric acid - 4-5%, methyl orange - 1-1.5%. Put the product for 5-10 minutes at a temperature of 18-25 degrees.
• Per liter of the composition is 660 g of hydrochloric acid, 230 g of sulfuric acid and 25 g of orange acid dye. Heat the solution to a temperature of 70-75 degrees and put a stainless steel object there for 2-3 minutes.

Important! All these components are very aggressive, so it is necessary to provide full eye protection. hands, face and respiratory organs.

The stages of polishing with chemical solutions are as follows:

• Immerse the previously cleaned stainless steel item in a container with a chemical solution.

Important! Adhere to the strict dosage of the substances included in the solution to get the desired concentration.

• The liquid must be constantly stirred.
• After the expiration date, the product must be removed and the remnants of reagents washed off with clean water.
• Wipe the part with a polished cloth.

Under the influence of chemicals, all roughness will be eliminated and the product will acquire its original shine and radiant appearance.

• polishing machine;
• Sander;
• electric grinder;
• grinder with lock.

Important! The method has a number of advantages. This is fast, efficient, you can change the frequency of rotation of circles and ribbons, use additional nozzles made of leather, fabric, wool and other materials.

The tool for polishing metal to a mirror finish with your own hands depends on the brand of stainless steel:

• Diamond paste showed itself best of all, but it has one significant drawback - a rather high price.
• If you don’t have one, then you can use GOI paste. It comes in four types, depending on the grain size.

Important! For manual grinding, you can use the same diamond paste or GOI paste. Its effectiveness depends on the quality of consumables.

This is done as follows:

• Apply a little product to the felt disc and drip a few drops of machine oil to dilute the paste.

Important! For metal, it is best to use a coarse-grained paste.

• Polish the surface in a circular motion, being careful not to rub too hard.
• Do this until you are satisfied with the result.

Important! How can I polish a knife to a mirror finish at home? Such smooth metal surfaces are ground with an ordinary file - wooden beam covered with a cloth on which polishing paste is applied.

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Stainless steel care

Polished stainless steel looks very nice. To keep it in this state, use special polishes. They are available as concentrates and liquid emulsions. The polish is applied immediately after the completion of the polishing process. Then periodically you need to apply polish to provide your stainless steel product with a pleasant look for a long time.

As you can see, everything is very simple, and it is very possible to give any metal object in your home a bright and neat appearance with your own hands. Choose a more convenient method for yourself and apply it as needed.

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Polishing metal to a mirror finish: types, methods,

To give the best consumer qualities and an attractive appearance to metal products, the final grinding procedure is carried out. Metal polishing gives the product a decorative shine, and the implementation of a similar procedure allows you to prepare the surface for applying various materials.

Types of jobs

Metal polishing can be carried out by the following methods:

1. mechanical or abrasive polishing of products;
2. chemical treatment with special substances, for example, paste;
3. electrochemical method;
4. electrolytic-plasma method.

Some finish sanding is simple, requiring no special materials or equipment. For example, the mechanical method can be used at home. However, it is almost impossible to achieve a significant result when using them.

Disadvantages of traditional methods

Metal polishing using traditional methods, abrasive and chemical effects on the surface, has a certain number of limitations in application. These include:

1. the lack of the possibility of automating the process. When carrying out work on obtaining gloss, many enterprises introduce automatic processing technology, which can significantly reduce the time to receive a whole batch. Chemical, mechanical, electrochemical polishing have features that make it difficult to automate the process;
2. the difficulty in obtaining a mirror surface when using the considered types of influence on the metal is due to technological and electrical reasons. Economic reasons are primarily associated with the high cost of production robots and machine tools that operate on a numerical control system. Technological ones determine the impossibility of including traditional methods of polishing metal products to obtain a mirror surface.

Often, the above problems lead to the fact that the work in question is done by hand using a special paste under mechanical action. This moment defines a significant decrease in the performance indicator, since processing on an automated line is not possible. Due to the use of outdated methods, often Production Line represents a failure of the conveyor, and this negatively affects the cost of obtaining the product, reduces the competitiveness of the enterprise.

Mechanical polishing method

For many years, the mechanical method of surface treatment of a metal product has been used. Special sets of abrasive wheels and belts, when combined with GOI polishing pastes, make it possible to obtain a material with a roughness index Ra = 0.05–0.12 µm.

The features of this password method include:

1. to automate the process, special machines are used, which are equipped with cloth or felt circles;
2. a certain amount of GOI paste is applied to the abrasive;
3. the goy paste in question is a special powder consisting of an active substance that has an activating effect on the surface of the product;
4. a typical paste is about 60% abrasive and 40% binder. the content of the activating additive is 2%.

Finishing grinding can only be achieved using GOI paste. In this case, a soft circle and GOI paste with a fine abrasive are used. With such work, the consumption of material is quite large: by 1 square meter the surface accounts for 0.3 of a felt circle and an abrasive substance of the GOI type, approximately 100 grams. When processing a complex surface, a tape type of material and the same GOI abrasive are used.

Special attention should be paid to GOI paste. It is a special substance that is based on chromium oxide. A substance from the GOI category is produced in the form of a green bar. Special GOI sets contain bars with different abrasive grain sizes.

Chemical polishing

During chemical polishing, a combination of exposure to a certain substance and galvanic vapors is applied to the surface. This process determines the formation of a passivating oxide film, which leads to the leveling of the surface microroughness.

The quality of polishing depends on the ratio of the rate of film formation and its dissolution in the liquid. The highest gloss index can be achieved with the formation of a film of small thickness. With chemical polishing of metal, a thinner film can be achieved than with electrochemical polishing, which determines the possibility of achieving a better gloss, but large irregularities in the part cannot be leveled.

Electromechanical method

Mechanical and chemical polishing of metal often does not lead to the desired result. This is due to the fact that the product may have increased resistance to structural changes. The electrochemical method is an exposure procedure that involves immersing parts in an electrolyte. It is often quite difficult to carry out such work with your own hands, since the electrolyte is represented by an acid solution. The impact occurs when the tank is connected to a power source with a voltage of about 20 V.

This type of treatment determines the appearance of a passivating film, which leads to a decrease in the roughness index. The degree of change in the quality of the surface structure depends on the applied voltage. The achieved quality depends on the type of metal, the residual deformation index, the thickness of the workpiece and other points.

Electrolyte-plasma method

In recent years, the electrolytic-plasma processing method has become increasingly popular.

Special sets of fixtures, which are quite difficult to create with your own hands, provide the effect of the charge on the part. Design features include:

1. the workpiece becomes the anode;
2. a positive potential is supplied to the part from a powerful power source;
3. the working bath acts as a cathode.

For impact on stainless steel and copper alloys use special solution, consisting of ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride. Their concentration is approximately 5%. Provided that the product is made of another metal or alloy, a solution with a concentration of the above substances of 10% is used. Metal polishing using such a set and method is completed within 2-5 minutes, the burr can be removed in about 20 seconds. Such indicators determine the high productivity of this metal polishing method.

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stankiexpert.ru

How can you polish metal at home. Grinding and polishing of metal.

Definition of the concept of "polishing" and its types

Polishing is a type of metal treatment that restores the shine to the metal surface. On the present stage there are such methods of grinding:

What tools and machines are used? Mechanical methods involve the use of the following tools and devices:

The action must be extended to be effective. Finally, thorough rinsing and drying will bring the copper back to a luster. Even if you are using specific and safe products, we recommend washing copper items with soapy water. Copper lacquer will ensure durability. Corrosion stains can always be removed with a mixture of vinegar and salt, or vice versa, with lemon juice. If there are burns on the bottom of the pot, a fine abrasive powder is ideal.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that has always been widely used. It is found in handles, locks, handrails and more. If the brass is painted, it can be cleaned using very warm soapy water and then polished. An even simpler system, handy for small or hard-to-reach areas, is to rub a piece of lemon that has been soaked in salty hot vinegar. Cleaning will be great, but for polishing you will have to use other methods.

• polishing machine;
• grinder machine;
• electric grinder;
• drills with clamps.

This finishing method has a number of advantages. Firstly, it allows you to change the frequency of rotation of circles and tapes, which has a positive effect on the quality of processing a metal plane; secondly, additional nozzles made of fabric, leather, wool, etc. can be installed on the polishing machine.

Take care only to use products that are on the market. There are many types and are suitable for this purpose. If the brass is painted, we advise you to simply dust and wash with warm soapy water. You don't need to do this often, but every time, be sure to dry thoroughly. If the paint gets damaged, you will need to use acetone and remove it completely. It will then be wise to contact an expert for the necessary repainting. Also for silver and metal, we will use procedures similar to those we have encountered so far.

Special grinder - angle grinder

Manual grinding differs from automated grinding in that its effectiveness depends on the quality of polishing consumables. In manual finishing, diamond paste and additives based on chromium or iron oxide are used. Smooth metal surfaces are polished with an ordinary file - wooden block covered with a cloth on which polishing paste is applied.

Creamy fluids are great, spreading evenly on the surface to be buffed with a cotton ball. Then let the treated surface dry and wipe it with a soft cloth until all residue is removed. Then wash the object with water and soap and rinse under running water for each product.

Unfortunately, silver is a metal that oxidizes very easily, so some care is needed to protect it more effectively. Especially if the object has engraved or carved details, it is recommended to

kiddyclub.com

ways and means to give expressive shine

Stainless steel is different. After all, it includes several different metals. The basis of stainless steel is iron, titanium, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, and this is not the whole list. Chromium, which is also present in its composition, helps resist corrosion of this steel.

What prevents steel from rusting

When chromium interacts with oxygen, a protective film is formed on the surface of stainless steel, and it is this film that protects the alloy from exposure to an aggressive environment.

The degree of corrosion resistance of steel will depend on the amount of chromium.

For example, in the manufacture of refrigerators, an alloy with an average chromium content (10-17%) is used. But if the device is constantly in contact with water or is subjected to thermal stress, then an alloy with a high chromium content, up to 26%, is used. These appliances include washing machines and dishwashers, sinks, hoods, hobs and kettles.

Where can polishing be done?

In order for the surface of the alloy to be beautiful and even, you need to polish the stainless steel. Nowadays, there are many companies whose specialization is this particular procedure, they put in order various products from this alloy. But it turns out that you can polish stainless steel at home.

Of course, if you need more quality work, it is better to seek help from specialists. For example, a polished stainless steel square pipe will look much more impressive after factory processing than after home processing.

Any company that specializes in polishing will easily perform this procedure.

How to process steel

How to polish stainless steel to a mirror finish? Here is a list of everything you need:

• polishing paste;
• felt or felt circles;
• wood glue;
• grinding wheels with different grain sizes;
• sandpaper or stone;
• Bulgarian.

Main steps of the process

The process takes place in several stages. First you need to perform a rough cleaning. Further in the course is a circle with a fiber base and an angle grinder. But just this procedure can be skipped, provided that the surface of the product is already quite smooth.

Grinding wheels follow. The surface must be treated several times, with each time the size of the abrasive should decrease.

If there are no such circles available, then it is quite possible to make them yourself. To do this, you can use a felt circle or felt. With a spatula, it is necessary to apply carpentry glue on it, and then grind it over abrasive chips.

This operation will make the surface of the steel perfectly smooth. In no case should there be roughness. After all, after polishing, it will be much more difficult to close them.

The next step is to apply polishing paste and a felt circle. Here it is better to consult a specialist, since a specific paste is needed for a certain brand of alloy. Of course, it is best to use diamond, the grit of which is suitable for the metal intended for processing. Finishing polishing is carried out until there is not a single visible flaw left. A polished stainless steel pipe should look just perfect.

Stainless steel in everyday life

No kitchen is complete without stainless steel fixtures and fittings. This is not surprising, since this alloy is quite strong and durable, especially since it does not require special care. Stainless steel is often used to make dishes, cutlery and stoves, since this metal has a fairly high thermal conductivity.

But there are some drawbacks to stainless steel: with regular use, it noticeably tarnishes. The kitchen is losing its luster. In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to periodically polish the stainless steel. There are many different ways to solve this problem. An important point in this procedure is the correct selection of polishing agent for stainless steel.

When cleaning steel products, in no case should bleaching and abrasive products be used. Also, do not use metal sponges and brushes with hard bristles.

There are several alternative polishing methods.

Olive oil

This method is just for those who are thinking about how to polish stainless steel at home. The tarnished dishes will again begin to shine like new. All you need is oil and rags, preferably soft cloths.

1. First of all, you need to moisten a rag with oil.
2. Using this cloth, it is necessary to apply oil to the product so that it is completely covered with an oil film.
3. Next, you can start polishing by firmly pressing the oiled rag to the metal.
4. To prevent the steel from becoming dull again, excess oil is removed with dry towels or napkins. They need to rub the surface until the product is completely dry.

Flour polishing

Flour can also be used to polish metal products. With its help, it is good to process flat surfaces, such as a sink or pan.

1. The product is sprinkled with flour, so that there are no gaps at all.
2. Flour should be evenly distributed.
3. Using a dry cloth, polish the surface in a circular motion.
4. Further, the flour is very easy to remove from the surface.

mechanical method

Some appliances and fixtures have hard to reach areas. This is where the question arises, how to polish stainless steel to a shine. There is a way, but you will have to spend a lot of time and make every effort.

You need to purchase a piece of felt and abrasive paste. Apply the paste to the fabric and polish the surface until the metal is bright and shiny.

Polishing with chemicals

Most often this method is used when you need to clean small items. The main thing is that polishing takes a little time and is done very simply. Below are a few solution recipes.

It's important to keep the proportions. Composition: 230 ml of sulfuric acid, 70 ml of hydrochloric acid, and 40 ml of nitric acid. The rest is water.

For one liter of solution, you need another 5 g of sodium chloride, 5 g of acid black dye and 10 grams of wood glue.

The resulting liquid must be heated to 70 degrees Celsius and the part is lowered there. The product can be left in the solution for a maximum of half an hour.

Orthophosphoric acid will be needed, it should be 20-30 percent of the total volume. Hydrochloric acid (3-4%), nitric acid (4-5%), methyl orange (1%). The rest is water. The solution should be at room temperature, keep the product in it for no longer than 10 minutes.

Polishing rules are given below:

1. The metal must be thoroughly cleaned before polishing. Then place the product in the solution. It should be remembered that only distilled water can be used here.
2. During the procedure, the solution must be constantly stirred, only in this case the chemical reaction will be 100%.
3. When right time pass, the part is removed and washed well with running water. After that, the product must be well rubbed with a napkin dipped in polish.

After such processing, all roughness is eliminated.

It is not enough to polish stainless steel correctly, it still needs to be cleaned regularly.

sink cleaning

Often stains remain on the sinks - this is limescale. It is very easy to remove with vinegar solution. Dilute the acid one to five and wipe the surface with it, and then rinse with running water. To give the metal a bright shine, the surface must be rubbed in a circular motion.

Stove cleaning

There are stains from sauces, fat and burnt food. They will have to be removed with a special tool for polishing steel. Be sure to remove the heaters before cleaning. The polishing agent is best used with gloves on. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting burns on the skin of the hands. After the procedure, it is advisable to rub the surface well with a dry cloth.

Cleaning the hood

This is no easy task. But quite doable. In order to prevent dirt and soap from staining the stove, it is better to cover it with newspapers or old towels.

To clean the hood, you can use a specialized tool or prepare a solution yourself. You will need bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice and water. The agent must be rubbed gently so as not to damage the surface. It is enough that the solution remains on the hood for several minutes, after which it must be washed off with clean running water. Next, you need to polish the surface well with a dry cloth. After this procedure, the hood will shine like new.

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How to polish stainless steel to a mirror at home - methods and expert advice

Almost everyone in the house has stainless steel items that lose their attractiveness over the years and tarnish under the influence of sunlight, dirt and other factors. This material is actively used for both exterior and interior decoration. In this article, we will try to talk in detail about how to polish stainless steel.

This material is an alloy of iron and carbon. It also contains other special elements, which may differ depending on the quality of the steel. Most often, stainless steel uses chromium, which gives the appearance of the material shine.

Products made from such material are among the most durable and have an extended service life due to resistance to external stimuli. Their feature is a mirror surface, which requires additional care.

If you notice signs of corrosion, you must immediately take action in the form of metal polishing. If scratches appear on the surface of the products, they also need to be eliminated, since moisture enters the structure of the product through the cracks, which will lead to corrosion. To the menu

How to polish stainless steel?

There are two options for polishing stainless steel products. back to the menu

Now there are a lot of companies that provide assistance in case of problems with stainless steel corrosion. If you do not have enough time to get rid of stains on the product yourself, you can turn to specialists. To the menu

At home, you can also carry out all the necessary manipulations for a positive effect and restore the appearance of the product. There are also several ways to do this. Next, we will look at how you can polish stainless steel at home. back to the menu

polishing process

To polish stainless steel at home, you will have to spend a fairly large amount of time and effort. If successful, they will be fully justified, and you will be able to return the products to their former brilliance.to the menu

Primary processing

Before starting work, it is imperative to thoroughly clean the product, as it may contain grease and other substances that clog gaps in the metal. To do this, you can use a simple dishwashing gel:

• Detergent must first be diluted with water to obtain a soapy solution.
• Wipe the surface of the metal product without leaving it to dry completely.
• Apply the solution to continue wiping.
• Rinse the soapy area with running water.
• The product must be dried naturally so that stains do not appear on it.

Some foodstuffs, liquids with chemicals and even household tools will help to polish products at home. With their help, you can polish stainless steel to a mirror.to the menu

Olive oil

This method is suitable for use on products that have lost their brightness. You will need olive oil and a soft cloth.

• Oil should be applied to a clean cloth.
• After that, spread the oil over the surface in circular motions, evenly distributing it.
• The oiled cloth must be pressed firmly and the previous procedure repeated several times.

You need to polish with this method until you feel changes in the structure of the product.

Be careful as the surface may become dull from the oil. Its excess must be removed immediately upon completion of the above operation. Using a dry cloth in a circular motion, you can easily wash off the remaining oil. back to the menu

Flour

Polishing stainless steel with flour is possible only on the condition that the work will be done on flat surfaces. In particular, it can be tried on pots and sinks.

Mode of application:

• The product must be sprinkled with flour, covering the entire surface.
• Spread the flour evenly over the metal.
• Polish the stainless steel in circular motions with a dry cloth.
• At the end of the process, you need to remove all the flour from the surface using a toothbrush.

Small mechanization

You can polish stainless steel to a mirror not only in special companies or at a factory, but also at home. For this, small mechanization will suffice.

This method is suitable in order to give products an attractive and presentable appearance after removing flaws.

To polish stainless steel, you will have to use the following:

• "grinder", or angle grinder;
• felt or felt circles;
• stone or sandpaper;
• polishing agent;
• grinding wheels with different grits.

Polishing steps

Polishing of products takes place in several stages. Initially, you need to remove all excess metal at the seams. An angle grinder is perfect for this. For her, you will have to purchase a circle on a fiber basis. Its grain size must not exceed P60.

If the surface of the desired product is smooth, this intermediate step can be ignored. Next, you need to grind the metal with another circle, the grit of which is P120. This will get rid of the streaks that appeared after working with other grains.

The size of the abrasive must be reduced each time, which will make it possible to make the surface smoother.

If you do not have the right circle, you can easily make it yourself. To do this, you will need a felt or felt circle, on which you need to apply wood glue. You can also just rub sandpaper and stone together.

After carrying out the work, you need to remove all traces of grinding.

Take a polish and apply it to the surface.

Next, you need to grind the material or product already using a paste. You need to remove risks consistently. If over time the surface does not become smoother, the speed of the grinder can be gradually increased. Do not abuse the speed, as this can lead to overheating of the metal and the appearance of spots on it. to the menu

Due to the presence of various irregularities on most of the products, it is often necessary to polish them manually. You will have to be patient, as polishing stainless steel to a mirror with the method described below can take a long time. In the process of work you will need:

• abrasive paste;
• soft felt.

Polishing steps

• Apply the paste to the felt.
• Polish the product to a shine, carefully treating the most problematic areas.

In order to protect yourself from the negative effects of the substances that make up the paste, use a face mask and gloves. To the menu

Chemical polishing of stainless steel

This method is great for working with small parts that are difficult to polish by hand. The method does not require effort and physical labor. There are several methods for preparing a chemical liquid for polishing products at home. To the menu

Option number 1

The solution must be prepared with the most accurate dosage:

• Sulfuric acid - 230 milliliters.
• Hydrochloric acid - 70 milliliters.
• Nitric acid - 40 milliliters.

In 1 liter of solution, add 6 grams of acid-based black dye, 6 grams of sodium chloride, 10 grams of wood glue.

It is important to adhere to the temperature of the liquid from 65 to 70 degrees.

Stainless steel should lie in the composition for up to 30 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination. To the menu

Option number 2

This solution must also be prepared in compliance with the proportions in the total volume:

• Methyl orange - 1.5 percent.
• Nitric acid - 4-5 percent.
• Hydrochloric acid - 3-4 percent.
• Orthophosphoric acid - 20-30 percent.

The item in the solution must be kept for up to 10 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination at a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees. To the menu

Option number 3

The solution is made according to the recipe for one liter of the volume of the finished liquid:

• Hydrochloric acid - 660 grams.
• Sulfuric acid - 230 grams.
• Acid orange dye - 25 grams.

The solution must be brought to a temperature of 70-75 degrees and keep stainless steel products in it for about 3 minutes.

All of the above components enter into an aggressive reaction when it enters the human body. Wear full respiratory, face, hand and eye protection.

Polishing steps

• A part that has been previously cleaned of contamination must be immersed in a solution consisting of reagents and clean distilled water.
• The solution must be constantly stirred, which will ensure a complete chemical reaction.
• After the time specified in each option, the product must be removed and all reagents washed off. After that, it is recommended to wipe the object with a polish applied to a napkin.
• Under the influence of reagents that remain in the pores on the surface, the roughness on the stainless steel will completely disappear.

Before starting work, you need to find out the brand of metal, since its composition may depend on it. According to it, it is worth selecting reagents and determining their concentration in the solution. To the menu

Stainless steel care

Steel after polishing looks beautiful and impressive. In order for it to retain its visual qualities, it must be constantly monitored, as scuffs and stains may appear again in the future.

To prevent the appearance of flaws on products, polishes are most often used. Substances of this type are best used immediately after polishing stainless steel. In addition, it is recommended to use them with a certain frequency. This will make it possible to maintain a glossy surface for a long time.

The product must be applied to a napkin and spread over the surface. It is important to do all the movements in a circle to avoid the appearance of streaks.

Excess funds should be removed, as stains may remain from them.

If you decide to use a special tool, you should not set a speed of more than 1500 rpm on it, as this may damage the product.to the menu

Maintenance intervals for stainless steel

• If you are going to purchase chrome parts for your car, you should polish them no more than 2 times a year. If you do this constantly, the coating will simply wear out, and traces of corrosion will begin to appear on objects faster.
• The use of mechanical impact devices on stainless steel is often not recommended, as microcracks may appear on the parts. It is in them that the liquid most often gets.
• It is recommended to use chemicals for cleaning and polishing stainless steel at home no more than once a year. Vapors from reagents adversely affect a person's health, even if he adheres to safety standards.
• GOI paste ("Paris Greens") has a relatively low efficiency, which is why it is recommended to use it only in the absence of other substances or solutions. It has a negative effect on the body, which is why it is important to use a protective face mask and gloves.

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Expert opinion

“It is best to immediately take a smaller skin and work with it for a long time. This will get rid of the appearance of large scratches on the surface and preserve the structure of the metal. You can wind a woolen thread on a drill, which will become an analogue of a “grinder”. It can also be smeared with paste, which will enhance the effect and speed up the process, ”writes Internet user Vladimir.

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How to polish stainless steel? | ServiceYard - the comfort of your home is in your hands.

In the modern world, we regularly encounter stainless steel objects, because they have firmly entered our lives. These are interior elements on the street and at home, various fences, various utensils in the kitchen. In this article you will find the answer to the question: how to polish stainless steel, because even such a strong metal can lose its original appearance under the influence of various factors.

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What is household stainless steel?

Corrosion-resistant steel or, as it is also called, stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon with an admixture of special elements. Steel acquires high resistance to negative environmental factors thanks to these elements. The main one is chromium. The percentage of its content in the metal can be different, but not less than 10.5%. Steel products with 18% chromium content acquire very high strength, but it is difficult to process such an alloy technologically. Therefore, steel with an optimal chromium content of 13% is mainly used in everyday life.

Important! Products made of such stainless steel are characterized not only by durability and the possibility of long operation, but also by an attractive appearance with mirror surface.

Due to the sufficient content of chromium, an oxide film forms on the metal surface, which protects the stainless steel from corrosion. But still, humid air and other factors can adversely affect the state of the alloy over time.

Important! Having noticed the first signs of corrosion in the form of clouding or tarnishing, it is necessary to polish the metal.

If there are scratches or welds on the surface of the products, it also becomes necessary to polish the stainless steel.

Option number 1. Specialized assistance

Nowadays, many specialized companies provide high-quality services for polishing stainless steel products. If you do not have the time and opportunity to polish the metal yourself, then contact one of these companies that will give your product a second life.

Option number 2. Polishing at home

At home, you can also get a polished, shiny and flawlessly smooth stainless steel surface. To do this, there are several ways that will help restore the product to its impeccable appearance. Consider how you can polish stainless steel.

Primary processing

Before polishing stainless steel, it is necessary to clean the product. To do this, you can use dishwashing detergent:

1. Dilute the detergent with water to make a soapy solution.
2. Wipe the metal surface with the prepared solution.
3. Rinse off the soapy residue with clean water.
4. Dry the item.

Some foods, certain household tools, and chemical fluids can help polish stainless steel at home. It is with their help that you will continue to polish the stainless steel to a mirror.

Olive oil

This method is suitable for polishing tarnished products. You will need olive oil and a soft cloth:

1. Apply olive oil to a clean cloth.
2. Smear the oil so that the entire surface of the product is covered with an oil film.
3. Press the oiled cloth firmly against the surface and polish the product in smooth circular motions.

Important! Polishing should be continued until a noticeable change in the structure of the product is felt.

1. So that the polished surface does not fade, you need to remove excess oil. This can be done with a dry towel or napkins. Wipe the product with intensive circular motions until the surface is dry.

Flour

You can polish stainless steel with flour. This method is more suitable for flat surfaces such as a sink or saucepan.

Mode of application:

1. Sprinkle the product with flour so that it covers the entire surface.
2. Spread the flour evenly over the metal.
3. Use a dry cloth to polish the stainless steel in a circular motion with your hands.

Important! Instead of a cloth, you can use a medium hard toothbrush.

1. Remove any flour from the surface.

Fine mechanical polishing

You can polish stainless steel to a mirror not only in specialized companies or factory conditions, but also at home using small-scale mechanization.

Important! This method is suitable for cleaning welds, repairing scratches, to give beautiful view homemade products.

To polish stainless steel you will need:

• an angle grinder, better known as a grinder, as a polishing tool;
• grinding wheels of various grain sizes;
• sandpaper, you can stone;
• polishing agent;
• felt or felt circles.

Polishing steps:

1. To begin with, it is required to remove metal deposits from the weld, in other words, to carry out a rough cleaning of the surface. To do this cleaning, you need to use an angle grinder and a fiber-based wheel. The grit of the wheel should be P60.

Important! If the surface of the stainless steel product is sufficiently smooth, this step can be skipped.

1. Sand the metal again with P120 grit. This action is carried out in order to remove stripes from the previous grain.

Important! If there is no circle with the desired grain parameter at hand, you can make it yourself. You need to take a felt or felt circle. Using a spatula, apply carpenter's glue on it and walk it over the abrasive crumb. Such a crumb can be obtained by rubbing a stone and an emery skin together.

1. Each time, halving the size of the abrasive, sand the stainless steel surface a few more times.

Important! After each grinding, do not forget to rinse the surface of the stainless steel. If possible, do not set the grinder to a speed of more than 4500 rpm.

1. Make sure that all coarse roughness is eliminated. The surface of stainless steel after grinding should be perfectly smooth.

Important! If defects remain on the product after polishing the stainless steel, these areas will have to be sanded again.

1. Take a polishing agent (in most cases it is a paste) and a clean felt or felt circle.

Important! It is necessary to choose the right polishing paste. Exist different types similar tools for different grades of stainless steel. It is best to use a diamond paste that is the most suitable grit for your metal. If there is none, then GOI paste (chromium oxide) or ordinary polishing paste will do.

1. Now proceed to the final polishing of stainless steel. Consistently remove visible risks. Over time, the surface of stainless steel will become more and more smooth. This is due to the redistribution of the structure of the top layer of stainless steel. Under the influence of the active components of the paste, air, heating and friction, the old oxide films are destroyed, and when the product cools, new ones are created.

Important! Do not overheat the metal, from this it can change color.

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Mechanical polishing by hand

It should be borne in mind that ideal smoothness and gloss are not created in places that are inconvenient for access. Therefore, if the product has such areas, then they must be finished by polishing manually. You need to be patient, as polishing stainless steel to a mirror in this way takes a lot of time and labor. For this you will need:

• a piece of felt;
• abrasive paste.

Polishing steps:

1. Apply the paste to the felt.
2. Polish the product until the desired mirror finish is obtained.

Important! Polishing pastes can be harmful to the body, so gloves and a protective mask should be worn when using them.

Option number 1:

1. Prepare a solution, taking into account the dosage: sulfuric acid - 230 ml, hydrochloric acid - 70 ml, Nitric acid- 40 ml.
2. In 1 liter of solution, add 6 g of acid black dye, 10 g of wood glue and 6 g of sodium chloride.
3. The temperature of the liquid should be 65-70 degrees C.
4. Place the stainless steel in this composition for 5-30 minutes.

Option #2:

1. Prepare a solution with the following ratio of acids to the full volume: orthophosphoric 20-30%, hydrochloric 3-4%, nitric 4-5%, methyl orange - 1-1.5%.
2. Soak the part in such an aqueous solution for about 5-10 minutes at a temperature of 18-25C.

Option number 3:

1. Prepare a solution taking into account the amount of acids per liter of composition: hydrochloric acid - 660 g, sulfuric acid - 230 g, orange acid dye - 25 g.
2. In such a solution with a temperature of 70-75 degrees C, the stainless steel should be kept for 2-3 minutes.

Important! All components are very aggressive. Therefore, when this method When polishing stainless steel, you need to ensure that your eyes, hands, face and respiratory organs are fully protected.

Polishing steps:

1. It is necessary to immerse the previously cleaned part in a container with a chemical solution, which consists of reagents and distilled water.

Important! To obtain the desired concentration of the solution, adhere to a strict dosage of reagents.

1. The liquid must be continuously stirred - for the completeness of the chemical reaction.
2. After the specified time, the part must be taken out, the remnants of chemical reagents should be washed off with clean water and the product should be wiped with a napkin with a polish.
3. When exposed to liquid reagents for a certain time, all the roughness of stainless steel is eliminated.

Important! Be sure to know the brand of stainless steel for right choice components and their concentration in water.

For these purposes, polishes are used. They are available as concentrates and liquid emulsions. The polish should be used immediately after polishing the stainless steel. It is also recommended to use such funds regularly with some frequency. This will help provide your product with a glossy surface for a long time.

The technique for using it is very simple:

• It is enough just to apply the product on a napkin and wipe the product evenly, in a circular motion.
• After processing, remove excess funds.

Important! If you have the opportunity and desire, you can use a special power tool, for example, a grinder with a speed of no more than 1500 rpm.

With occasional polishing, your stainless steel products will be protected from abrasive dirt, corrosion, and other natural elements. But still, if you need to polish stainless steel, then choosing a method that is more suitable for you, described in this article, you can even give products a smooth surface and a mirror shine even at home.

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