Apply light pressure and sand the scratch, moving back and forth following the grain. If, after a few minutes the scratch is still there, try a slightly coarser grit of sandpaper. Once the scratch is gone use a finer grit to buff the affected area and blend with the rest of the finish.
To remove deep scratches from stainless steel, use fine-grit sandpaper or a scratch removal kit, sanding in the direction of the grain. Follow with a stainless steel polish to restore the finish.
For deeper scratches on uncoated stainless, you can use an abrasive pad like fine sandpaper (400-600 grit) or a scrubbing sponge and some olive oil to gently buff out and repolish the finish. White vinegar also makes an effective chrome and stainless steel polisher after you finish buffing out scratches.
Use a rubbing compound (which costs about $10), also known as scratch repair. Apply it with a microfiber cloth, and use circular motions to buff until you can't see the scratch any longer. Polish it. Polish the area with car polish (which costs about $15), using circular motions.
Sure - you can usually remove light scratches with either Bar Keepers Friend product or other stainless steel polish - you just need to make sure you polish in the direction of the steel grain - the link I sent is Bob Villa - a popular home improvement figure - and he explains how to do this.
Toothpaste is an abrasive product which you can use to lightly polish a surface. To reduce scratches on stainless steel, apply a fine layer of toothpaste with a soft cloth in the direction that your custom stainless steel panel has been brushed.
Don't Use Magic Erasers on Chrome or Stainless-Steel Surfaces & Fixtures. Contrary to popular belief cleaning stainless steel or chrome surfaces with harsh cleaning tools like scouring pads, SOS pads or others is a big no.
Scratch repair pens are among the higher quality tools for dealing with deeper scratches. They often include fibreglass pen tips for removing any rust or loose paint, and can then fill in the scratch with paint matched to the rest of the car to hide a blemish completely.
Magic Erasers are made of melamine foam, which acts like an extremely fine sandpaper. It's this abrasive quality that allows it to remove scuffs and marks from various surfaces. When it comes to cars, this same abrasive quality can potentially damage the clear coat or paint if used improperly.
In fact, the myth that you can fix scratches on your car using toothpaste is one DIY solution that does not actually fix things. It's horrible advice – almost as bad as recommending that someone fixes their flat tire with duct tape.
Remove Light, Fine Scratches From Stainless Steel
The first thing you want to do is grab one of your microfiber cloths and some vinegar. Wipe down the surface area where the scratches are, removing dust, dirt, food residue, and other stains. Rinse well and dry with a clean microfiber towel.
Use a jewelry cloth and be gentle in polishing your stainless steel watch. You may need a specialized stainless steel scratch remover for this one, like a Silver Polishing Jewelry Cleaner. Use a fiberglass brush during the process. One example of such an instrument is the Eurotool Fiberglass Scratch Brush.
Many people have had good results with Bar Keeper's Friend, a powdered cleaner safe for stainless steel. Another method is using a rubbing compound, such as those made by 3M. Again, be sure to rub in the direction of the grain. A piece of wet fine-grit sandpaper can also be used to remove deeper scratches.
Use a non-abrasive sponge, cloth, and warm soapy water to remove any visible grime. To remove built-up grease, you can use a stainless steel cleaner, which will help to dissolve the grime and leave your grill looking great. Vinegar and water: You can use a vinegar and water solution for tough stains or stubborn grease.
For fine scratches and less significant nicks and dings, all you need is a non-abrasive, stainless-steel scratch remover compound, which will work to fill in the fine lines and smooth out the surface.
We have had the best success with Instant Rust Out, but WD-40 works very well too. Instant Rust Out is available in some hardware stores. WD-40 is widely available. Baking soda, lemon oil, olive oil, vinegar, or club soda can also be effective for cleaning light soil on all stainless steel surfaces.
Process: Detailers use a polishing compound and a rotary buffer to remove a thin layer of the clear coat, effectively leveling out surface scratches.
WD40 works on car scratches by essentially “sealing” them. Filling in the scratched area with WD40 creates a barrier that protects the exposed metal from further damage.
How to Use Toothpaste to Remove Scratches & Scuff Marks. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, so it can help remove minor scratches and scuff marks from your car's paint job. Just squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto a soft, clean cloth and rub it into the scratch or scuff mark.
In some cases, you'll have a scratch so deep that it's surpassed the clear coat into the base paint. Tackling these deeper scratches takes a little effort, but if you're willing to put in the time and energy, you can save yourself a trip to the body shop and buff out the scratches right at home.
Baking soda is a powerful all-purpose cleaner. Its slight abrasiveness won't harm your stainless steel, but it will help unstick stuck-on stains. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water, and apply it to tough stains. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wipe, rinse, and dry.
Don't Use Them On Your Car
Or any other delicate surface, for that matter, like silverware, glass, or metal surfaces. Dry erasers have the abrasiveness of a 3000 grit sandpaper – very fine, but can still mar shiny surfaces – like your stainless steel appliances!
You can clean stainless steel naturally with various nonabrasive techniques like microfiber cloths, sponges, and cleaning solutions like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, mild soaps, and more.