Shine up stainless tread plate

[CruisinGA]

I'm currently fabricating some large "fixtures" that all said and done has about 70 sq ft of stainless steel tread plate.

Unfortunately, stainless tread plate does not come "shiny" like aluminum tread plate, so we have to shine it up somehow. A stainless wire brush works well, but the $30 brushes are not lasting long enough.

The only other solution I have found is electropolishing. At first glance it sounds like something that could be done at home, a la electrolytic rust removal, just requires a DC power source, some strong acid instead of caustic and a tub.

Any other suggestions before I burn my hand off in concentrated HCl ?

 

[davegonz]

Brasso metal polish?

By tread plate, is it like diamond plate or is it more like expanded metal?

 

[CruisinGA]

It's diamond plate.

The surface is rough, definitely needs more than brasso. A wire wheel works great, but they don't last long.

Set up a home electropolish experiment, worked ok but would be hard to implement on a panel 5x6'.

 

[informationjunky]

X2 on the brasso, use a buffing wheel of some sort with a drill. might want to search McMaster

 

[shelfboy1]

might ask your local fire dept .i got some home brew polish from them and it worked great .good luck

 

[MOfj40]

Roloc scotch brite discs are what we use around the shop here. Cheap and effective. The off brands work just as well as the 3M variety at half the price.

Quick Change Surface Conditioning Discs

 

[NKP Garage]

Have you tried the 3M finishing wheels?