Stainless steel appliances are popular for their sleek, modern look. Refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, sinks, cookware, and other items contribute to the aesthetics of your kitchen. But while exceptionally durable and rust-resistant, stainless steel tin go scratched and scraped with daily use. These hole-and-corner tips can enable y'all to successfully remove scratches from your appliances.

Make Sure it's Truthful Stainless Steel

Many debate stainless is should not be magnetic. While technical, only austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic, significant if you put a magnet to it stick it won't stick. The departure is a minor amount of atomic number 26-chromium in the metal's limerick. Additionally, you tin easily run across fingerprints on the surface of stainless steel appliances, which have a brushed finish. In improver to this, stainless steel appliances have a linear grain, which runs continuously in a single direction. It's important to e'er clean or wipe the surface in that direction, and that goes for removing scratches also. Working against the grain can make a scratch worse.

Clean the Surface

Remove dirt or oily films with a vinegar solution and then rinse with water. Stainless steel cleaning products are your other alternative. It'due south best to follow whatever directions the manufacturer has provided in cleaning the appliance. To dry out, wipe with a clean cloth in the direction of the grain.

Removing the Scratch

At that place are many methods of removing a scratch in stainless steel. Fine scratches can be removed with common store-bought consumer cleaning products, such every bit Revere Stainless Steel or Comet. If the manufacturer supplies its own cleaner for your apparatus (frequently available at home improvement stores), use that. Stainless steel polish can as well conceal modest scratches, although must exist reapplied frequently to protect information technology.

For pocket-sized scratches, yous can also utilize:

  • Non-Annoying Cleanser: If using a pulverisation-based cleanser, mix it with h2o. This will form a sparse paste to spread over the surface, in the management of the grain, using a moistened fabric or sponge. Wipe the cleanser away ofttimes to see if it's working. If the scratch is removed, coat the surface with a stainless steel polish or olive oil.
  • Stainless Steel Scratch Removal Chemical compound: Add water to create a paste. It should look somewhat like toothpaste. If using a foam-based chemical compound, use it to a microfiber cloth, rubbing information technology dorsum and forth along the grain. Once the scratch is buffed out, wipe with the cloth to remove any rest. Apply some other microfiber textile to dry the surface and repeat the process until the scratches are completely removed.
  • Toothpaste: If y'all need a slightly more abrasive approach, apply a whitening toothpaste to a soft-bristle toothbrush. Brush over the scratch, periodically wiping away the toothpaste to run across if information technology's working. If necessary, keep brushing and add more toothpaste. Once the scratch is gone, clean the area and finish the surface.

How to Remove Deep Scratches from Stainless Steel

When the previous methods haven't worked, yous may demand to sand out a deeper scratch with sandpaper. Use an annoying pad if 1 is specified by the manufacturer. Otherwise, first with extra-fine moisture/dry sandpaper. Wet the sandpaper and brand sure it remains wet while you're working. Dampen the affected area with a sponge and sand the scratch using light pressure. Brand sure to go in the same direction as the metal'due south grain.

Work the surface for a few minutes. If the scratch still isn't removed, choose a different sandpaper with a slightly courser dust. Sand the area lightly and gently outward. This will aid blend the scratch with the balance of the surface. Wipe the expanse with a moisture cloth or sponge using plenty of water to remove loose grit. Dry the surface with a soft towel or cloth then polish the surface.

Contact Wilshire Refrigeration & Appliance

We are factory-certified to repair Sub-Aught, Wolf, and ASKO appliances. Serving clients throughout Southern California, our team can handle whatsoever repair or maintenance job. If you accept questions about removing stubborn scratches from stainless steel or prefer to have a professional person look at your appliance, contact us at 800-427-3653.