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Cleaning Stainless Steel

Posted on by BILL WORDEN
15
Jun

QUESTION:

Wolf A. Asks:

”The cleaning lady rubbed off a small section of stainless steel patina on a Kitchen Aid oven. My wife sees nothing else but the small (2 inches x 8 inches) rubbed off area. Is there a liquid or paste that we can buy and apply ourselves to fix the damaged area? Awaiting your response. Thanks. Wolf„

ANSWER:
Wolf,
I’ve never heard of a Stainless Steel Patina on a commercial appliance.   The oven is most likely made from Stainless Steel.   Please correct me if I’m wrong.
The marred/rubbed area may just be a discoloration of the base metal (SS), as some mild acids & even a few bases (alkaline) cleansers can alter the appearance of SS.
Truth is:  The term, ‘Stainless Steel’ is an oxymoron, or at the very least, misleading.  
Regardless of the particular Stainless Steel Alloy, they all can be stained, discolored, rust or be adversely altered by exposure to certain chemicals, ozone and/or abrasion.
There are over 15 commonly used Stainless Steel Alloys, but most common is the 300 Class, specifically 304 & 316.
A judicious amount of buffing, done gingerly, may minimize the damaged area, but could also, just as likely…make it worse, depending on what you use.
   There’s no magic fix.   I have heard of a few commercial Stainless Steel Polishes, but I can’t think of all the brand names.   You might search: ‘stainless steel polish’ or ‘Flitz Polish’ (which is one very popular metal polish).
Email me your shipping address & I’ll send you a Sunshine™ Cloth, which may or may not help.   But, it’s so delicate that it is used by jeweler’s and metal-workers for final polishing, worldwide.   Can’t hurt to try it.   Use it As Is, and Add NO Cleaner, Cleanser or Even Water.  
Multi-Purpose, Hard Surface Polishing Cloth.
Multi-Purpose, Hard Surface Polishing Cloth.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help with one of my patina products.
Thanks,
Bill
p.s. If you find this information and advice useful, please consider a small donation, to help with costs:https://www.paypal.me/steelfx
bw
BILL WORDEN

My name is Bill Worden. I am the founder & owner of STEEL F/X Patinas, which began officially in the fall of 2006. I had my first exposure to metal-finishing when I was 14 yrs. old. (1968) My Chemistry teacher showed me how to silver-plate a copper penny without heat or electricity. The whole process, which I found incredibly cool, took only a minute or two. I was hooked on what could be done chemically, to transform the surface of varying metals. I have been a metalsmith since 1972, working with precious metals originally, and currently focusing primarily on CNC cut steel art and chemically induced Color Case-Hardening of firearms & custom knives. I have developed many steel patina formulas that react safely with the steel to bring out a myriad of colors & effects without hiding the polished steel beneath. I have also developed a one-of-a-kind patina, (STAINLESS F/X™), which works equally well on Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel & Copper. My greatest reward is teaching & helping other metal artisans to produce finished products that are beyond the norm of painting or powder-coating. I truly love working in the lab, experimenting with what will work & developing new products. Many of my customers, in a very short time, have become masters of steel patinas on their own work and are producing some heirloom quality works of art! I live in St. George, Utah with my wife, Kris and my two sons, Tyler & Trevor.. I welcome your calls & emails & will do my very best to provide you with all the help & product innovation possible. The STEEL F/X® PATINAS Company Motto is "KAI-ZEN", a Japanese word that loosely translates to: "CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT" Thank you for helping to make STEEL F/X® PATINAS a Reality...Without all of my loyal customers, we wouldn't exist. Keep Up The Good Work! Bill D. Worden, STEEL F/X®, LLC (STEEL F/X® PATINAS) 1.800.710.1273

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