Polishing Stainless...

[71bigblock]

I've searched on here, and I cant find anything on this.  Im new to polishing stainless.  I have trim that needs it.  Whats the best/easiest/cheapest way to do it?  Im a firm believer in doing things yourself, so I was just wondering how.  Thanks!   

[Fred]

Bon Ami makes a stainless steel cleanser and polisher for kitchen use.  It's like comet or ajax and works great.  You slightly wet a paper towel, shake some on, and rub.

I havn't tried yet, but I am planning to try it on my grill stainless pieces.

[Autophile]

I've searched on here, and I cant find anything on this.  Im new to polishing stainless.  I have trim that needs it.  Whats the best/easiest/cheapest way to do it?  Im a firm believer in doing things yourself, so I was just wondering how.  Thanks!   

You and I are approaching this at the same time.  I think you/we will have to be prepared for a bit of work, a little investment in tools, and patience. The first step is to visit Eastwood online. Here is the link that is applicable to polishing/repairing stainless trim: http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=432. I just bought a buffer, a stand, the stainless polishing compound and buffing pads, a buffer pad cleaner, a full face shield mask, and a little body hammer/anvil set for trim repair. Let's do it, brother! 

[go-fish]

I spent the better part of saturday polishing stuff. I use a BIG box fan motor mounted on a stand that has a buffer attached. I have some polishing clay bars, brown and green.
I buff parts on the wheel to clean the and do most of the work. My budy gets some stuff he got from a guy peddling homemade polish at car shows years ago and still buys from the guy. It is nice stuff.
In your case, get some good finishing polish after buffing them on a wheel and rub, rub, rub.

[Mopar73340]

  The Eastwood kit works great. I polished all of the stainless on my 2 cars myself. I think it turned out great as it was my first time polishing it also. The thing to remember is to start with the coarse wheel to take care of the deep scratches and progress to the softer one. (There are 3 in the kit). Be sure to use the proper compound with each. (Instructions come with the kit) And the most important step is to TAKE YOUR TIME. Work slowly on each piece as you will overheat it if you use to much pressure. Don't be suprised it you spend somewhere around 3 hrs or more on each piece. (I did). Oh and one more thing, don't let the edge of the metal get close to the buffing wheel against the rotation of the wheel or it will take it out of your hands. Good luck..

[AMXguy]

 Anyone who's careful can learn to buff pretty good. getting dings and bends out is a whole other deal, I've practiced until I'm sick of it and I've given up. I buff what I can and have a pro do what I can't, it all depends on how picky you are but if you want it perfect then expect to get a little help on the tough stuff.

[Stacked440]

I buffed all my stainless myself with an electric motor fitted with a buffing wheel and some stainless buffing compound I bought at a local kraft show.  If your trim is really bad I'd use some thousand or more grit sand paper first lightly to take off the rough surface(don't sand to much!) then buff er up

[71bigblock]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I have a motor, it looks like I just need a course and fine wheel, and some stainless compound.  Thanks for the advice!  Off to the store!   

[71bigblock]

Well I went down to ACE and got a medium wheel and medium compound.  Already 1000% better!   

For my '67 truck I think its acceptable, because its not going to be a show truck.  For my car I will definitely get a fine wheel and compound. 

I spent only about $13 for a wheel and compound.  I figure thats a heck of a deal.