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How to Polish Stainless Steel: From Weld Marks to a Mirror Finish
- Clean first
- Coarse to fine grits
- Polish in one direction
- Stainless-only abrasives
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Which Finish Do You Want?
| Finish | Looks | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Brushed / satin | Fine straight lines, low shine | Kitchen equipment, worktops, sinks; hides scratches |
| Mirror | Reflective | Balustrades, signage, decorative parts |
| Bead-blasted | Matte | Some architectural and equipment parts |
Tools and Machines
BOSCH GPO 950 POLISHERKSh 21,370
Straight Grinder Bosch GGS 5000 L ProfessionalKSh 15,680
Bosch GSS 140 Orbital Sander Professional 220WKSh 6,990
Bosch Orbital Sander GSS 2300KSh 12,700
GEX 40-150 PROFESSIONAL RANDOM ORBIT SANDERKSh 40,200
GBS 75 AE PROFESSIONAL BELT SANDERKSh 43,440| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| BOSCH GPO 950 POLISHER | KSh 21,370 |
| Straight Grinder Bosch GGS 5000 L Professional | KSh 15,680 |
| Bosch GSS 140 Orbital Sander Professional 220W | KSh 6,990 |
| Bosch Orbital Sander GSS 2300 | KSh 12,700 |
| GEX 40-150 PROFESSIONAL RANDOM ORBIT SANDER | KSh 40,200 |
| GBS 75 AE PROFESSIONAL BELT SANDER | KSh 43,440 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 10 November 2026).
Brushed Finish Step by Step
- Degrease the surface.
- Flatten welds with a flap disc (about 60–80 grit), keeping the tool moving to avoid heat marks.
- Blend with finer abrasives (about 120 then 180–240 grit), all strokes in one direction.
- Match the grain of the rest of the sheet with a non-woven (Scotch-type) pad.
- Clean off dust and wipe with a stainless cleaner.
Mirror Finish Step by Step
- Follow the brushed steps but continue to finer grits (about 400, then finer) with no deep scratches left.
- Use a polisher with a buffing pad and a cutting compound, then a finishing compound.
- Keep speed moderate and the pad moving to avoid burning the surface.
- Wipe clean with a soft cloth.
After Welding: Remove Heat Tint
The blue and brown colours next to a weld are heat tint. They should be removed (mechanically or with a suitable pickling product used per label) on food-contact and outdoor work, because the tinted area resists rust less well. See TIG welding stainless basics.
Daily Care for Polished Equipment
- Wipe along the grain with mild detergent and water; rinse and dry.
- Avoid steel wool and chlorine bleach.
- More in how to clean stainless kitchen equipment.
Safety: wear eye protection, a dust mask and gloves; pickling products are corrosive, so follow the label exactly.
Watch: Fabrication and components
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a mirror finish on stainless steel?
Sand through progressively finer grits, then buff with cutting and finishing compounds.
What grit for brushed stainless steel?
Commonly finishing around 120–240 grit, in one direction.
How do I remove weld marks from stainless steel?
Grind flat with a flap disc, blend with finer grits and remove heat tint.
Can I polish stainless steel with a drill?
Small parts, yes, with polishing attachments; a proper polisher gives a more even result on large areas.
Why are there rust spots on my stainless steel?
Usually contamination from ordinary-steel tools or wool; clean and use stainless-only abrasives.