Polishing Stainless Steel

Joined
10 Dec 2008
Messages
832
Reaction score
17
Location
Jersey Marine
Country
United Kingdom
I need to polish stainless steel propellers .... these are large heavy (15") props

They are new ... but the stainless has not had a huge effort into polishing during manufacture a lot of it is semi-matt.

I kept them clean on previous boats with Autosol metal polishing paste, it's going to need a bit more than that to get them initially right.

Happy to work my way through wet & dry grades 240, 400, 800, 1200, 2400 ...... but what then ... is Autosol the best for Stainless steel ? The standard Gold packaged Autosol states Chrome, Aluminium & metals.
There is a 'Black' packaged that states Chrome, aluminium, stainless, brass & copper.

Not sure if there is a difference, or is there something better.
Probably going to have to be handwork ... as all the complex curves on props not easy to get at with power tools.
Maybe a die grinder/flexible shaft with a small mop would work - but don't have one - a Dremel and flexible shaft I don't think is up to it.

Need to get it looking good then protection.
 
Sponsored Links
You need a die grinder and flap wheels to start with. Probably 80, 120 and then 240 grit. Then use a polishing mop head with green polishing soap.

If the props have lots of residual casting or machining marks on them, trying to do it by hand with various different grades of wet and dry will take forever.
 
Excellent call from Lower there (y)
If there is a lot of work to be done - especially when the props have done some work - consider fine grit flap discs or even scotchbrite ones which fit into small angle grinders.
With stainless props its a sound idea to apply a crack testing spray too.
John :)
 
Sponsored Links
Props are new (not even been out in water other than PDI test)
Just not as well finished as I like.
 
Would love to hear more info on these polishing methods (flap wheels etc) I have a coffee machine that should be mirror finish but years of use have left it very scratched and hazy.

I bought a stainless polishing kit with a mop that fits onto an angle grinder, and has 3 different polishing bars - black, green and white. It has brightened the stainless but not removed the scratches, I suspect I need to go the sandpaper route first. Can I do it with the angle grinder? Is there a suitable product?

Thanks
Michael
 
Look into the possibility of using very fine grades of wet and dry paper, Michael......the water used acts as a lubricant to wash particles away.
Practice first if you can, and make sure you rub in only one direction to give that 'brushed' finish.
If you are over zealous you could make things worse, so I'd forget about the angle grinder.
John :)
 
You need a die grinder and flap wheels to start with. Probably 80, 120 and then 240 grit. Then use a polishing mop head with green polishing soap.

If the props have lots of residual casting or machining marks on them, trying to do it by hand with various different grades of wet and dry will take forever.


I now have access to a Die Grinder takes 1/4" shaft tools .......do you have a link you could point me at for suitable flap wheels.
 
Thnx ... my misunderstanding was looking for rubber-backed tools with replaceable discs, glad I asked.
 
As you're polishing something with a complex shape, you want something that you can easily manoeuvrer around the blade and hub. Discs would be too flat and tend to cut into the material at the edge of the disc.

You might want to try something like the below too:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/abra...0vcml0elkQR3-8zVrRxoCgvMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can get them in different grades and they sometimes allow you to skip different grit steps.
 
Don't they require an arbour though ...... I do like the idea of using them, in preference to coarse abrasive but die grinder just has straight 1/4" chuck
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top