Achieving a mirror finish on stainless steel is simple if you follow this guide

How to achieve a mirror finish on stainless steel is one of the most popular challenges we get asked by polishers and engineers.   There really is a three stage process and if you follow this then you should get there easily. In three steps you should be able to achieve the mirror finish you are after.

What is a mirror finish?

A mirror finish, is a highly shiny, reflective surface free of any scratches or marks. It means that the surface will have an RA value of less than 0.2. Mirror finishing is the highest level of metal cutting and is the most effective means to improve the service life of mechanical components.

Stage 1. Flatten and prepare the metal

This stage is a crucial step in the process to achieving a mirror finish on stainless steel, or when polishing any metal. Do not forget to cross hatch and to get a certain amount of heat on your wheel to ensure the compound melts.

Dry Sisal and Coarse Cutting Compound

Dry Sisal polishing mops are made from sisal material which makes for a coarse cutting mop.

Used with a coarse cutting compound for scratch removal pre-polishing. This is normally the first stage mop to flatten the metal surface in preparation for polishing. These mops can be used for rust removal, machine line removal, casting surface removal, scratch removal and weld blending.

This first polishing cutting and flattening stage is very important therefore it shouldn’t be rushed. The subsequent polishing processes after this phase should be very quick and will only be as good as the pre-polish phase.

Stage 2. Mid stage Polishing

All metal polishing needs a mid stage – dont rush to the final finish. This is because you have created lines during the first stage with the dry sisal and if you skip straight to the last stage, you wont have got those lines out. Mid stage polishing is required for stainless steel as you are still preparing the metal for the final polish.

White Stitched Mops and Medium Cut and Colour Compound

White stitched polishing mops can be used with a cutting compound or a finishing compound and will do both jobs.

Stitched mops are the most common polishing mop. These mops are made from soft layers of calico which have been stitched together to give rigidity. They are most the versatile mop and could be used as a one operation for a general polishing. This type of mop is useful on such a range of materials it is popular with most users.

Stage 3. Final Finish

This stage is when you can really begin to get that shine and reflective look on your metal. It can be very satisfying to begin to see the work of the first two stages coming out.

Loosefold Mops and Mirror Finish Compound

A loosefold mop is a popular choice for this final finishing process. The softest mops is a Reflex mop which is used in the jewellery industry for precious metals – sometimes this soft mop is not necessary on harder metals. But it’s down to the polishers preference. Yellow Bronco mops are becoming more popular but for most metals, you can’t go wrong with a general loosefold mop WDR which is a soft calico or a felt.

Starter Kits for getting the Final Finish

We sell a selection of starter kits which have small bars of compound and wheels or mounted mops and points for helping you to get the mirror finish you require on stainless steel.

Extras for helping you get the perfect mirror finish

For more tips and techniques take a look at our You Tube page or contact us directly to have a chat about your metal polishing.