finish on stainless sheet metal?

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I'm doing a couple of sheet metal jobs for a local restaurant. I'm using 18 ga. stainless. After forming, welding and clean up, I need to bring finish back to a uniform luster. I am currently using 120 grit on die grinder wheel, then a medium scotch brite wheel and finally block sanding with 400 grit. This produces an expectable finish but is too labor intense to be cost effective.Referring to the stainless sheet metals present in all commercial kitchens, elevator walls, etc.. They appear to have a slite brushed finish with luster. Is there a simpler process to refinish stainless sheet?Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Grind with 60/80grit flap disc, then finish with 60grit flap wheel in a drill. Making sure you keep the direction the same as the grain on the SSI do it all day long
Reply:Hey im in the same processes trying to find a way to get that finsh back why do you use the drill after doing it with a grinder
Reply:It's almost impossible to get the lines straight using a grinder. where as you can with a flap wheel in a drill
Reply:This is all I've found that allows you to put back the straight lines http://tinyurl.com/ydardu8 not cheap tho.....Mike
Reply:No I mean this type, far cheaper Attached Images
Reply:Never seen that type before, same style as the ones that mount on the Walter polisher that I posted but yours is a far sight cheaper.....Mike
Reply:Did not check you location, but find a local abrasive supply house with people who know their products.  Our supplier pointed out several things to save us money.  3M makes scotch-brite, a good product line we've used.  Other companies make the same type of abrasives but I haven't tried the other brands so can't compare.  Some of the itmes you might look at here Hope it helps.
Reply:One option that is used a lot on brush finish ss parts is passivation.....you can get one of those little machines that runs off a little buzz box and take all the colors out of the weld area leaving it electropolished looking and not TOUCH the stuff with a grinder....it is far too much work and far too difficult to restore brush finish on stuff for a restaurant that probably does not require such practice.  Now if the print is calling that out or if the customer requires it that is different but I kinda think you might be working too hard. Fuse it if possible or use just as much rod as required and don`t overheat it and leave the grinder alone.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianNye Welding guyOne option that is used a lot on brush finish ss parts is passivation.....you can get one of those little machines that runs off a little buzz box and take all the colors out of the weld area leaving it electropolished looking and not TOUCH the stuff with a grinder....it is far too much work and far too difficult to restore brush finish on stuff for a restaurant that probably does not require such practice.  Now if the print is calling that out or if the customer requires it that is different but I kinda think you might be working too hard. Fuse it if possible or use just as much rod as required and don`t overheat it and leave the grinder alone.
Reply:The pros use the straight line brush finishers like the $850 one shown above- or the Walter mentioned.Or the ones from CSUnitechttp://www.csunitec.com/sanding_poli...ing_finishing/If you are doing stainless kitchens all day, even a $2000 tool pays for itself pretty quickly.One thing you could try, though, that has worked for me- you can get scotchbrite belts for belt sanders, which give you that linear brushed finish with any hand held belt sander.I get mine from Klingspor, they have em for all sizes- I even have scotchbrite belts for my little makita detail sander with a 1 1/4" x 21" belt. Pretty cheap, and they give you directional lines rather than the random orbit you get with a scotchbrite on a disc sander.
Reply:Originally Posted by Shox DrThat's OK but fit up of the parts plays a big part in just running the TIG over it. It's more to do with Hygiene, than looks
Reply:ha, I guess I'm not a pro then. I'll tell the boss in the morning he needs to spend 2k on a posh drill. While he's on the phone I'll get him to call Jamie Oliver and all the other world class chefs and Restaurants the Canopies are ****e
Reply:Shox Dr,       Sounds like you know your stuff. Currently I don't do enough "kitchen" stainless to justify those pricey kits the others suggested. Where do you buy the scotch brite wheels?Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:I'm in the UK. so I can't help you on than one, sorry.