skip to main content

Removing scratches from a stainless steel sink-Need help

January 1, 2009

Hi All,

I have only had my $500 SS Elkay sink for two weeks and I have some bad scratches already. I was carefully washing a metal baking sheet when it happened.

I don't remember this being a problem with my other cheaper sinks but maybe I wasn't paying attention.

Is there anyway to remove them? Some of the methods I have seen on the web I'm worried would make them worse. Thanks!!!

Comments (15)

sailormann
It's going to scratch. When it gets evenly scratched all over it will look great - so the best thing to do is get busy and scratch it some more.

See if the whole family can't be coaxed into spending a half hour with sharp knives carving their initials into it ;)
January 1, 2009
icenet
"When it gets evenly scratched all over it will look great"

True or not true?
January 1, 2009
Related Discussions
Installing stainless steel sink in kitchen
Q
Comments (5)
Hi jwestfie, A quick note about our experience: We consistently design between 70-90 kitchens/year (for over 34 years) and have literally designed thousands of kitchens.....We also design full structural including below-grade foundation plans..... We have 2 Chicagoland locations and a Michigan location which cover the Wisconsin to Indiana borders, N.W. Indiana and S.W. Michigan..... Anyway, way too many negative factors in what you'd like to do. We have 17 major stone fabricators in the 3 states we cover and NONE of them would touch this. Not enough money to cover all the things that could go wrong. Absolutely, get a sink that would work. Easiest and cheapest way to go. Hope this helps a bit! John & Brigitte
...See More
How can I remove scratches from my stainless steel refrigerator?
Q
Comments (1)
WD-40 is just oil. It fills in scratches, but it's very temporary. How light are the scratches? Do you want them gone, or unseen? If you just don't want to see them, wax the fridge with synthetic car wax (also called polymer sealant). It lasts much longer than regular car wax, and since your fridge isn't outside, it should last a very long time indoors. You'll have to test it out, but I would guess it would last a year before you need to re-apply. If you want them gone, you need an abrasive. Your fridge may have a coating on it, which would be worth finding out first. There are some stainless scratch remover products out there, but I haven't used any. If you try it, start with the least abrasive product and make sure you go with the grain of the stainless, regardless of which way the scratches go.
...See More
Need help with Stainless Steel damage
Q
Comments (2)
Try using this product Scratch-B-Gone It does miracles when it comes to removing stains, rust, scratches, or restoring stainless steel. Good luck.
...See More
Removing rust spots from stainless steel railings?
Q
Comments (1)
Since you are looking for the industrial modern look, I would actually recommend leaving the rust. I think it looks great! Rusting of stainless steel isn't uncommon, especially in high traffic areas where the metal is touched and in direct contact with other abrasives. Some abrasion is required to clean the steel since the rust needs to be physically (as opposed to chemically) removed. You can try the following on a small area and see how it works. Mix 1 tbs of baking soda in 2 cups of water Rub the solution on the rust area using a soft toothbrush. Rinse the area and wipe with a damp paper towel. If it's working you should see the rust on the paper. Once you have the railing clean you should apply Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner or a similar product to fight further rust formation. The stainless steel cleaner might even remove some areas of light rust.
...See More
rnest44
My Elkay sink is over 25 years old and I think it still looks great. It's going to Home Source when we finally get this reno going.
January 1, 2009
oruboris
' "When it gets evenly scratched all over it will look great"
True or not true? '

True, IMO: stainless sinks and counters develope an overall, non-directional luster that slowly replaces the brushing marks that flow all one way. The more you get, the more it blends together. Color remains as when new [at least when clean!], but the look gets softer.

Not true of appliances, where there's never enough scratches to create the random appearence you get on more used surfaces.

Besides: use a Stainless sink or counter, and the scratches come fast and easy. You'll drive yourself mad trying to keep it pristine. Scratches simply have to be seen as an inherint part of package.
January 1, 2009
sue_ct
True. I spent 1200.00 on my Franke Orca sink with all accessories and it has scratches. It will be fine 10 and even 20 years from now, when you won't be able to see one of them. I do also have a bottom grid, though, so that protects it and it will actually probably take longer to get the all over scratched look. You didn't notice them on your old sink for two reasons: 1. it didn't cost 500.00 and 2. it had already developed the all over scratched patina.

Sue
January 1, 2009
rosie
Agree, scratch the heck out of your sink as quickly as possible. It's really as much breaking yourself inas the sink because trying to keep it unscratched would turn a fantastically functional material into effectively an absurdly inappropriate one--like covering a backsplash with linen and expecting it to work.

It'll ultimately end up looking very nice. Hmm, maybe linen with a decade's patterning of aged grease spots would too...?. Never mind. Before this, all my stainless sinks were old and "patinaed" when I moved in and I was genuinely VERY surprised to come here and find people worried about scratching them. I'd never noticed that they could be in a way that'd be noticeable or that anyone could care about.
January 1, 2009
eandhl
Only the first few scratch hurt. Eventually it is all scratched and develops a beautiful patina.
January 1, 2009
icenet
Great, bring on the scratches! :) Thanks all!
January 1, 2009
queensinfo
in a brushed type finish on my sink, i was able to take out some of the light scratches using bar keepers friend (rubbing in the direction of the polishing of the sink).
January 1, 2009
bodiCA
Bar Keepers Friend and 3M pads help to freshen
January 2, 2009
icenet
Bar Keepers Friend is very popular on this site. I have to get some for my sink. What 3M pads were you using?
January 2, 2009
brunosonio
Let it get scratched! It looks great over time...that's what SS does. We put in the huge Franke pro sink (the biggest and deepest one they make), and I spent a month trying to keep it pristine. Then the first scratches happened from normal metal on metal contact and I quickly got over my scratch phobia.

Part of the problem is the brushed #4 finish the sinks and appliance companies use. It's pretty fragile because you have delicate grooves running in one direction. It's very easy to scratch across the grooves.

We have a Franke bar sink with a smooth matte SS, and it's still scratch free 2 years later. Our FP double ovens have the smooth matte iridium SS that FP offers, and it's also scratch and stain free after several years.

A kitchen sink is meant to be used, not preserved like a piece of art. Kind of like your pots and pans...after several years of hard use, they will show the wear and tear. But it's a good thing to let that happen, and totally natural.
January 3, 2009
tim2009
I've just had my stainless steel sink replaced, for some reason the scratches it had cannot be removed, so I took the time to search the internet and found the site which sells a stainless steel sink, I gave it a try and it's perfectly working now.

Here is a link that might be useful: sink
May 31, 2009
mmaja5325
I might consider buying that sink tim. Thanks for the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tim's link
June 30, 2009
maubry
I'm having doubts of replacing my sink till I found your recommendation Tim.

Here is a link that might be useful: sink
August 2, 2009

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

KITCHEN SINKS Kitchen Sinks: Stainless Steel Shines for Affordability and Strength

By Rachel Grace

Look to a stainless steel sink for durability and sleek aesthetics at a budget-minded price

HOUSEKEEPING The Simple Way to Remove Wax From Candlesticks

By Marianne Lipanovich

Before you make a mess of things, read these easy steps for removing melted wax from your candlesticks

METAL Kitchen Counters: Stainless Steel, the Chefs' Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Professional-grade strength and shining beauty unite in classic stainless steel countertops for the kitchen

CLEANING How to Keep Your Stainless Steel Clean

By Bonnie McCarthy

Protect this popular kitchen material with a consistent but gentle cleaning routine

WOOD How to Remove Water Rings From Wood Tables

By Bonnie McCarthy

You may be surprised by some of these ideas for removing cloudy white water marks from wood surfaces

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Great Backsplashes to Pair With Stainless Steel Counters

By Becky Harris

Simplify your decision-making with these ideas for materials that work well with stainless steel counters

METAL Bring on the Garden Bling With Artful Stainless Steel

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Set stainless free of the kitchen, using it to brighten and decorate any garden in an unexpected way

MOST POPULAR So Over Stainless in the Kitchen? 14 Reasons to Give In to Color

By Becky Harris

Colorful kitchen appliances are popular again, and now you've got more choices than ever. Which would you choose?

MOST POPULAR 10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell

By Lurdes Abruscato

Put these inexpensive but invaluable fixes on your to-do list before you put your home on the market

KITCHEN SINKS Kitchen Sinks: Fireclay Brims With Heavy-Duty Character

By Rachel Grace

Cured at fiery temperatures, fireclay makes for farmhouse sinks that just say no to scratches and dents

Sponsored

Four Square Architects, LLC

Boutique Architectural & Interior Design Firm Based in Winchester, VA

More Discussions

Galley sink vs Kohler Stages sink

62

Backsplash tiles that look like a tin ceiling?

13

Island Electrical Outlet

5

help choose backsplash

6

Which product looks most like concrete?

8