Working with stainless steel often requires achieving a flawless, high-shine finish. Polishing is such a significant part of what we do, so we thought we’d share some insights into the process. Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Sanding—The Surprising First Step

It might seem counterintuitive, but the first part of polishing is actually sanding. We use a hand sander with a low grit to buff out impurities and imperfections in the surface. This leaves a textured finish. On a job of this size (a boat pedestal base) the sanding process typically takes around 1.5 hours.

Step 2: Polishing for the Perfect Shine

Next comes the polishing itself, using a hand polisher. For a project like this pedestal, the polishing process from start to finish can take approximately 8 hours. In the time-lapse footage, you can watch the stainless steel transform as that iconic mirror-like shine starts to come through.

During this stage, we use a variety of polishing blocks. Different blocks are suited to different jobs and finishes, so we select the right range to achieve the best results. At the start, you’ll see the light blue block—pristine and ready for action. As the polishing progresses, it begins to show signs of heavy use, a testament to the effort we put into every piece.

Step 3: Protecting the Finish

The final step is taping up the job with green masking tape. This crucial step protects the polished finish during transport and fitting, ensuring it arrives looking sleek and shiny when installed.

Other Polishing Techniques We Use

While hand polishing is essential for many jobs, we also use other polishing methods depending on the project requirements. These include:

– Electropolishing: A process that enhances the corrosion resistance and shine of stainless steel.
– Laser Polishing: Ideal for achieving precision finishes on complex shapes.

No matter the method, as long as stainless steel is involved, there’s usually some form of polishing required—and we always take our time to ensure the result is polished to perfection.