Best method to polish stainless.......?

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I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.........I have purchased some stainless...... For dominoes.........It's not shiny like 316L or the stuff you see on boats......... It has a patina on it which is normal......Question is...... How can I get it to have a mirror finish??????Is it possible?The interweb gives tons of home remedies..... So to speak.......I'm wondering what really works.....Thoughts? Attached ImagesLast edited by Fexal; 04-11-2013 at 05:54 PM.Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:There are really fine wire cups/wheels that will get close but not quite mirror.
Reply:Mirror finish bro, no problem. You need a polisher! I bought this one from eastwood fairly cheap but I use some sick wheels on them. These wheels are worn down to nubs, but next saturday i'll be going to pick up more. The yellow wheel is hard as a brick although soft, hard to describe but there from a company called Bush's in  North Carolina. They come up to a local swap meet every year and hands down have the best polishing stuff anywhere.  Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Polishing anything is the same technique.  Make the scratches smaller and smaller until you can get a finish with a buff wheel.  You definitely need a grinder/buffer with buff wheels like weldermike posted.  Just experiment a bit.  Start with maybe like 120/150 grit if its rough, then maybe like a 320 then hit the buff wheel with rough on it.  Usually once you get to a shiny, but somewhat scratched surface, you can go to the buffer with good results.Watch this:
Reply:Do you have DA sander, or hand held belt sander... that looks pretty rough, start with about 80 grit and keep using progressivly finer grits,80-100-180-220-320-400 etc... once you get to 400-600 start using scotch brite...when you get to the finest scotch brite then you can either hand polish or machine polish with metal polish or even auto buffing compounds ... it's allot of work though...Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:Originally Posted by DemonSpeederDo you have DA sander, or hand held belt sander... that looks pretty rough, start with about 80 grit and keep using progressivly finer grits,80-100-180-220-320-400 etc... once you get to 400-600 start using scotch brite...when you get to the finest scotch brite then you can either hand polish or machine polish with metal polish or even auto buffing compounds ... it's allot of work though...
Reply:I haven't used those style wheels yet but in the future,that is a possibilityLincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:Here's some scrap 304ss 1/4in on a worn to death wheel for about 30 seconds with zero prep. And a new wheel is just a completely different animal, F sanding  Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I sand down to 1200a grit before buffing.http://www.facebook.com/LockhartMetalArthttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Grumpy...44306259043484
Reply:Hell yea...where do I buy those wheels?
Reply:F^&*... That's crazzy... welllllll I will be investing in some of those buffing wheels thenLincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:You can get them fairly inexpensively at Lowe's or home depot by the bench grinders.....buy a couple one firm and one soft then buy some rouge its the polishing.compound  load the wheel with it and go to town but defiantly sand first because if you don't it will bring out every scratch dent and dimple in the material....btw you can put those wheels on a standard bench grinder1979 sa 200victor 100several bfh's several pitbulls (for holding down the floor)
Reply:Wow Mike........I think you have the answer..........Going to Lowes tomorrow.........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Ugh!, Your not getting this at LOWES. I'll try and foward you the info. I'm a loser and still don't know how to post links  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by texasrednekYou can get them fairly inexpensively at Lowe's or home depot by the bench grinders.....buy a couple one firm and one soft then buy some rouge its the polishing.compound  load the wheel with it and go to town but defiantly sand first because if you don't it will bring out every scratch dent and dimple in the material....btw you can put those wheels on a standard bench grinder
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120  Gotta be honest, the ones I posted would be real good for that...... ....Just saw I left the NOT out of that post.......
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeUgh!, Your not getting this at LOWES. I'll try and foward you the info. I'm a loser and still don't know how to post links
Reply:This the place?   LinkNickESAB CaddyTig 2200iPowermax 45MM140 (Sold)
Reply:Originally Posted by SnuffyThis the place?   Link
Reply:i was giving a cheaper alternative to a $500 buffer...the bench grinder i use with a buffing wheel works prety dang good for me honestly.....1979 sa 200victor 100several bfh's several pitbulls (for holding down the floor)
Reply:Originally Posted by texasredneki was giving a cheaper alternative to a $500 buffer...the bench grinder i use with a buffing wheel works prety dang good for me honestly.....
Reply:Find somebody that does electro-polishing. It'll put a mirror finish on a raw part in about 10minutes, with no work from you.  As a bonus it pulls the chromium to the surface and the part ends up being more corrosion resistant. You can by the chemicals and do it yourself, but they're a bit evil: http://www.ep-systems.com/index.htmlTIG - Miller Syncrowave 200Plasma cutter - Miller X-treme 375Round column mill - RongFu 31
Reply:Originally Posted by zrexFind somebody that does electro-polishing. It'll put a mirror finish on a raw part in about 10minutes, with no work from you.  As a bonus it pulls the chromium to the surface and the part ends up being more corrosion resistant. You can by the chemicals and do it yourself, but they're a bit evil: http://www.ep-systems.com/index.html
Reply:eastwood is another source for equipment,wheels and compounds.miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:Hit me up with the info on those wheels mike, would work perfect on my belt bucklesUA local 32Team weld-coolTeam miller elite tack upMiller pro-staffOriginally Posted by Fishinsin stationHit me up with the info on those wheels mike, would work perfect on my belt buckles
Reply:I've bench-rigged a Wildcat and sandwiched the buffer wheel between between two B&D/Dewalt 4-1/2" backing plates.For a lowbuck alternative for occasional buffing this setup is hard to beat. Production work is a different story.It isn't as fast as the proper tool but "grunt" never enters the Wildcats vocabulary.
Reply:Mike........I'm about to buy some airways....... These: http://www.buschshineproducts.com/6-airways-p-75.htmlAre these the right ones?I'm not sure which compound to get though..... I'm thinking about the green compound...... http://www.buschshineproducts.com/gr...-bar-p-45.htmlThoughts????Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by FexalMike........I'm about to buy some airways....... These: http://www.buschshineproducts.com/6-airways-p-75.htmlAre these the right ones?I'm not sure which compound to get though..... I'm thinking about the green compound...... http://www.buschshineproducts.com/gr...-bar-p-45.htmlThoughts????
Reply:FEXAL did you ever get your stuff from Busch's? I saw the guys yesterday and loaded up myself. I'm set for a while now, was just wondering how you made out? Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Mike..... I haven't made my order yet.......Waiting for a little more Paypal money to deposit..........Should happen this week and I can start polishing those bad boys next Saturday.........I drilled 4 sets yesterday...... two stainless and two aluminum........ I forgot to put my good bit in the press and so I turned one of my ho hum bits into a "good for wood only" bit...... Oops......Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Hey FEXAl, I wonder if this cheap HF polisher would work for you ??  On sale for $39.99.http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-buffer-94393.html  Use a 20 % off coupon and give it a whirl .http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-buffer-40668.html
Reply:Great idea BD......... That might be the way to so I don't have to switch out my tungsten only grinder wheels.........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Hey FEXAl, I wonder if this cheap HF polisher would work for you ??  On sale for $39.99.http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-buffer-94393.html  Use a 20 % off coupon and give it a whirl .http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-buffer-40668.html
Reply:I picked up the 6" HF polisher a few months back, Haven't used it much, but it does seem to do the job.I get my wheels and compound from Caswell, great company to deal with. I started with one of thier buffing kits which gives you everything you need to start polishing including a "how to polish and buff booklet" which is really good. I believe you can download the booklet as a PDF from thier site.http://www.caswellplating.com/buffin...fing-kits.htmlLast edited by jncaruso; 04-26-2013 at 08:08 AM.Reason: mispelled word
Reply:Originally Posted by papaharley03The guy in the video above was using that exact machine and said it was one of those HF gems.Papa
Reply:I received my Bush's buffers...... and decided to put them on my bench grinder that I use for Tungsten.......It's not balanced.... I think the shaft is too small.....Anyway...... I'm not yet getting the results I'm hoping for....... but still experimenting with this thing.....Here is what I have so far on a test piece: Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:One thing I noticed was that it looks like Mike put three pads together, and Fexal you did only one.  That with the hp might make a big difference.  Maybe Mike can comment on the multiple pads.
Reply:Though I'm still developing my polishing capability, I see that you need to sand out those deep scratches, first, using a ~320 flap wheel followed by a random orbital with ~400 or finer. Not until all the deep scratches have been removed should you do any buffing with black rouge followed by green (on separate, dedicated wheels).
Reply:I noticed the same.....I also think the shaft on mike's buffer is bigger (get your mind out of the gutter people.....)Mine weren't tight.......I'm wondering if there is a perfect RPM of the motor......I used the Green Bar only......... It just left black schmutz on the stainless........I was frustrated with the airways..... no instructions....... Mike......... Inquiring Minds Want to Know..........How does this buffing thing work?Does the motor / shaft matter? Does the color of the bar matter?One note: My Stainless had deep pits or grooves in it..... it took a few passes of 60 grit and then 120 grit to get it smooth.........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by ezduzitThough I'm still developing my polishing capability, I see that you need to sand out those deep scratches, first, using a ~320 flap wheel followed by a random orbital with ~400 or finer. Not until all the deep scratches have been removed should you do any buffing with black rouge followed by green (on separate, dedicated wheels).
Reply:Yes, I've found these flap wheels in 220 and 320 grit (to fit my 4-1/2" Milwaukee) at our local hardware store:http://www.pearlabrasive.com/Pages/I...temClassNo=242240-grit part # MAX4524C400-grit part # MAX4540CBut I see that the manufacturer has some which might be better suited to stainless:http://www.pearlabrasive.com/Pages/I...temClassNo=242
Reply:How to get a mirror finish on stainless:Buy mirror finished material,or pay to have it professionally polished.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Fexal, it can be done. For smaller parts like the dominoes, you might get better results holding the pieces in a vise and polishing with a hand tool. Here's how my recent stainless work went:The trim was dull and had been drilled with unsightly holes.This "extra rough" dull trim was selected for an an experimental  trial run, but it worked out so well that the first  trial run piece was good enough to use.File and sand with progressively finer passes.And some moreThe "shadow" was not as deep as it looks in the photo.Sorry, I didn't get pics of the buff N polish operation.For supplies, since readily available, I bought a DIY polishing kit off the shelf from Sears.The kit included several bars of compound in different grades, and a few wheels.To spin the wheel I chucked a mandrel in a cheapie pneumatic "muffler cutter" tool. That Worked excellent and had good power. This was the final product, front and back:I know this is a little different than the Fexal project, but in my experiments I polished an old galvanized  piece to near mirror finish, soI'm convinced the the dominoes could be brought to a shine..Sorry, I Can't find a picture of  the galvanized  piece right now.If it'd help I could get a picture of the kit, tool, and wheel.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 04-28-2013 at 12:29 AM.
Reply:Got it!Now remember, this was just a quick experiment on a rough old galvanized surface.
Reply:Zinc probably polishes easier than stainless.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverZinc probably polishes easier than stainless.
Reply:Wow Denrep.......I'm going to keep experimenting with it.......Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:FEXAL try putting a little more compound on your wheels, they look pretty dry.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeFEXAL try putting a little more compound on your wheels, they look pretty dry.