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Cleaning TipsKitchens
webuser_212878018

Please help... my stainless sink seems damaged permanently... (◞‸◟)

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

My husband used this heavy duty rust remover (GRUNT EMER-GEL RUST, STAIN & OXIDATION REMOVER ) for stainless kitchen sink and it left awful white marks all over it...!

It seemed that remover removed coating/finish rather than staining it all over...?

I tried vinegar, stainless steel cleaner/polish, glass cook top cleaner/polish, but nothing works...

I have no idea as to what to do.

Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Thank you in advance!



Featured Answer
  • 5 years ago

    Going forward, if Joseph Corlett’s solution works, you should use Barkeepers Friend powder to clean your sink, and nothing else. There actually should not have been any true rust in your sink if it’s a stainless steel sink. Rust in a stainless steel sink is either from water with iron in it, and the water dries and leaves rust marks behind which are easily wiped off. Or someone has used steel wool pads in the sink which left behind tiny particles that then rusted - steel wool pads should never be used in a stainless steel sink, but in any case, the rust marks from them are easily removed with Barkeepers Friend. Or someone has left a metal spatula, can, lid or other metal item in the sink and it rusted. Again, that rust easily removed with Barkeepers Friend. So your rust in your sink is not actually the stainless rusting, but things sitting in the sink rusting that is easily removed.

    Comments (16)

    • 5 years ago

      Have you tried wiping the sink down with Dawn detergent?


      HU-212878018 thanked Julia Millikan
    • 5 years ago

      Thank you for your response.

      Yes, I tried to clean it with dishwashing detergent, and later with Comet too...

      And after doing so and while it’s wet, it looks sparkling clean but when it gets dried, those white marks appears... :(

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    • 5 years ago

      Barkeeper's friend?

      HU-212878018 thanked anj_p
    • PRO
      5 years ago

      Buy a cheap small random orbital sander and an 80, 180, 240, and a red ScotchBrite pad protocol. Like new in 20 minutes.

      HU-212878018 thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
    • 5 years ago

      I use an SOS pad on my sink all the time.....have for 35 years. There is no "finish" on a sink.

      HU-212878018 thanked lindac92
    • 5 years ago

      Give Vinegar one more try. Soak paper towel with vinegar, and leave on stained surface for a couple of hours.

      HU-212878018 thanked Mehrin-Z5-midwest
    • 5 years ago

      Thank you all so much for taking your time to answer my question...

      I really appreciate it.

      After reading everyone’s suggestions and some own research, we’ve decided to try to restore the surface with emery cloth and orbital sander.

      I also appreciate some advice for the cleaning tips for future...

      You all are so sweet.


      God bless you all.

      please take care and stay safe.


      Thank you again. :)

    • 5 years ago

      An orbital sander will leave swirl marks....buy a box of SOS pads and scrub in one way not in a circle. it's cheap and easy.....and if that doesn't do it then spend the $$ on the sander.

      HU-212878018 thanked lindac92
    • 5 years ago

      Or try barkeeper's friend. It gets out almost everything.

      HU-212878018 thanked anj_p
    • 5 years ago

      An FYI, I once used Oxy Clean on our bar sink & it did the same thing to mine.

      HU-212878018 thanked girlnamedgalez8a
    • PRO
      5 years ago

      I use THE WORKS toilet bowl cleaner on my SS sink. Looks brand new every time....even foams up like Peroxide! I have hard water. Not sure if this would help you. If you try, be sure to wear gloves!!!!

      HU-212878018 thanked The Kitchen Place
    • PRO
      5 years ago

      A random orbital sander will not leave swirl marks.

      HU-212878018 thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
    • 5 years ago

      An random orbital sander with the right pad will not leave swirl marks (unless you use a highly aggressive cutting compound, I guess) - for God’s sake, they use them to detail Ferraris to take OUT swirl marks in the paint left by towels and such. Follow Joe’s advice, he does this for a living. If cost is an issue, you can pick a decent RO sander up at Harbor Freight.

      HU-212878018 thanked wiscokid
    • 5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      Thank you all again for additional tips and suggestions. I really appreciate it.

      Even though we don’t own Ferrari, we do own a sander/polisher so we bought some pads. :)

      We haven’t had this project attacked yet, just because it’s before thanksgiving and I want us to take our time to do the job.

      Thank you again.

      Have a lovely Thanksgiving week and I’m very thankful to all of you.

      Mahalo! :)

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