Polishing heat discolored stainless steel?

[Capt. Jim]

Last week, I severely bent a stainless steel boat anchor. Found a local shop in Nassau to straighten it enough to still be usable while boat is still in the Bahamas. He had to heat it at a major weld to get it reasonably straight again, which left some dark discoloration on a previously mirror-finish.

I tried metal polish and Flitz on it which removed some of the heat discoloration, but all I had was shop rags for applicators. Anyone know of a way to get it reasonable shiny again? Damn thing cost over $1K.

 

[3DAMAN!]

Buffing wheel on an electric grinder (pedestal or hand held)
Jewelers rouge (Home Depot/ Lowes)
Dawn dish washing liquid ( used this stuff for years to kept Harley pipes shiny)
Fine scotchbrite pads
Elbow grease

 

[hawkeye]

Aluminum foil works well as an abrasive to clean the grime, and polish SS. Just wad up, and add some elbow grease.

 

[Capt. Jim]

Thanks guys. I'll try them all once the boat is back stateside. I'll let you know how well they worked.

Jim

 

[3DAMAN!]

Hey Capt,
Will the prop not take a shine being in the salt water and spinning under power?
I've never been around the ocean, much less boats, but seems that the rotation of the prop in the salt water would/could have the same effect. Do the props need to be polished to a high mirror gloss?

 

[Capt. Jim]

Hey Capt,
Will the prop not take a shine being in the salt water and spinning under power?
I've never been around the ocean, much less boats, but seems that the rotation of the prop in the salt water would/could have the same effect. Do the props need to be polished to a high mirror gloss?

I bent the anchor, not the props on this boat.

I have polished the props on my outboard center console by running it through sand (not on purpose). The shinier the props, the better the efficiency. The props on the boat in the Bahamas are bronze and have a coating applied to them called PROP-SPEED. it helps prevent growth and also makes the slicker and more efficient.

The salt water really has no abrasive or polishing effect at the salt is completely dissolved in the water.