Stainless steel scratch remover is effective but can damage your appliances if used incorrectly.
Read on to learn why.
How to Use Stainless Steel Scratch Remover
Enter any kitchen that’s been renovated in the last decade, and you’re bound to see a few stainless steel appliances.
This on-trend material is beloved for its resilience and ease of cleaning. Unfortunately, like most metals, scratches can happen from daily use.
The good news is that most of these scratches can be easily buffed or sanded away. Here’s how you can do it yourself: Your kitchen will be as good as new in no time.
Note the Material And Grain
Before you add a Brillo pad to your stainless steel sink, make sure it is indeed stainless steel. You’ll want to know if it’s simulated stainless steel or if it has a fingerprint-proof clear coat.
Stainless steel is a non-magnetic material, and it will show fingerprints with use. Once you’re assured the material is stainless steel, take note of the grain of the metal.
Most appliances are brushed stainless steel, and the material will have a subtle grain. However, if you decide to remove the scratch, be sure to work with the direction of the grain. If not, you’ll only worsen the issue.
Gather Necessary Materials
You’ll want to have the necessary materials on hand. There are many stainless steel scratch remover kits available online or at the local hardware store.
Or, you can start with a removing compound (like Bar Keeper’s Friend) and a microfiber cloth. If you have a deep scratch, you’ll need abrasive pads.
A Little Elbow Grease
Now that you’ve gathered the necessary materials and determined the direction of the grain, you’re ready to get to work.
Note whether you have fine scratches or deep scratches. Then, follow the steps below.
How to Remove Minor Scratches in Stainless Steel
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Fine surface scratches can typically be removed with a scratch removal kit or stainless steel cleaner.
The process is the same, whether it’s for a stainless steel refrigerator door, cookware, your dishwasher, or even a stainless steel cooktop. Here’s how.
Stainless Steel Scratch Removal Process
- Mix your compounds. Use a non-abrasive solution like Bar Keeper’s Friend or ZEP Stainless Steel Polish. You can even use whitening toothpaste in a pinch. If you’re using a powdered solution, mix it with enough water to form a paste.
- Clean the surface using cleaning vinegar or your favorite stainless steel cleaning product.
- Apply a nickel-sized dollop of scratch remover to a soft, microfiber cloth and gently rub the scratch in the direction of the grain. You should be able to buff out the scratch gradually.
- Use a damp, clean microfiber cloth to clean off any remaining remover. If you can still see the scratch, repeat step two or follow the directions for removing deep scratches below.
How to Remove Deep Scratches in Stainless Steel
Deeper scratches require a bit more attention. Again, a stainless steel scratch remover kit can do wonders. You’ll need to use a polishing compound. But this time, you will try with abrasive pads.
The kits will include several different abrasive pads. If you don’t want to purchase a kit, you can remove scratches from stainless steel by sanding it with sandpaper. Never use something extremely abrasive, like steel wool. Here’s how you can DIY the fix:
DIY Stainless Steel Scratch Remover
- Clean the surface using cleaning vinegar or your favorite stainless steel cleaning product.
- Start with extra-fine-grit sandpaper (or the abrasive pad indicated by your kit). Wet the sandpaper or sponge and dampen the area of the scratch.
- Use light pressure to sand the scratch, moving in the direction of the grain.
- Once the scratch is removed, repeat the process using finer-grit sandpaper or a less abrasive sponge. (If the scratch isn’t removed, repeat steps 1 and 2 with coarser sandpaper and work your way to softer grits from there.)
- Using the finest sandpaper or sponge, gently work outward from the scratched area to blend with the rest of the surface.
- Gently remove grit from the surface with a wet sponge, carefully washing away excess metal. Again, you’re still working in the direction of the grain.
- Polish the surface with stainless steel polish.
Best Stainless Steel Scratch Remover Kits
The easiest way to buff out these scratches is to start with a kit designed for your appliance. These are our favorite, affordable options.
- Rejuvenate Stainless Steel Scratch Remover Kit: This kit can remove fine to deep scratches, and it’s only about $6 from Home Depot. It can also remove rust buildup on your refrigerator or any other stainless steel appliance. It comes with a cleaner, lubricant, microfiber cloth, and several abrasive cleaning pads.
- Scratch Pro Kit for Repairing and Polishing Stainless Steel Sinks: Available for about $17 on Amazon, this kit is marketed to sinks but can work on any stainless steel appliance. It comes with Scratch Pro sandpaper, a buffing compound, and a polishing compound.
- Grove Collaborative Stainless Steel Cleaning Kit: Once you’ve fixed the scratches in your kitchen, keep your stainless steel appliances clean with a handy cleaner. This kit includes microfiber cloths as well as a cleaner and protector. This can help resist scratches in the future and clean surfaces without streaking.
Scratches Be Gone
Stainless steel is a hard surface, and it is a workhorse in modern kitchens. The durable material, unfortunately, isn’t failproof. It can sometimes get scratches and dings.
Thankfully, many of these scratches can be removed on your own with a few easy steps. Fine scratches only require a stainless steel polish (like Bar Keeper’s Friend) and a microfiber cloth.
You can even give whitening toothpaste a whirl! For deep scratches, consider purchasing a scratch remover kit, which will have all of the ingredients you need to do the job for less than $10.
Otherwise, have your polish on hand with fine-grit sandpaper. Whatever your method, work slowly and gently, only polishing with the grain.
Best Stainless Steel Scratch Remover
With some patience and a little elbow grease, your stainless steel kitchen appliances will look good as new in no time.
When you’re done, protect your surfaces moving forward with a handy stainless steel cleaner or polish them up with some olive oil.
That’s it! We hope our guide to removing scratches from stainless steel has helped you. Be sure to let us know about your experience removing scratches in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get scratches out of stainless steel?
Yes, you can get scratches out of stainless steel. Using products like Comet or a specialty stainless steel scratch remover, you can smooth the edges of the scratches, making them less noticeable.
Does toothpaste remove scratches from stainless steel?
Yes! You can use toothpaste to remove scratches from stainless steel. Just add some water to create a paste and gently rub in a back and forth motion.
Can baking soda remove scratches from stainless steel?
Yes. Baking soda can remove scratches from stainless steel. It's slightly abrasive due to its powdery nature. To use it as a scratch remover, simply mix a small amount with water until you have a paste, then gently scrub back and forth. Wipe off with a damp cloth; that's it!