Does anyone know of a good way to polish stainless steel without going into expensive tool/polisher purchase. I would like to cleanup and polish the stainless around the T-Top latching area, that is the area exposed once the tops are removed.

If it's gouged or scratched to the point you can feel it with a fingertip or fingernail, it will take some time to work the scratches out. If it's just a bit dull, most hardware stores carry buffing wheels that fit a drill and polishing rouge. Not to be confused with your wife's makeup! It's basically a stick like a big crayon. It's a mild abrasive that when used properly, does a pretty good job.
Look at the application on the rouge, different types for different metals. It really isn't hard, just takes some time. The results will be worth the effort!
You may need to follow the machine polishing with a hand polish to really finish it off.

I'm not aware of anything in the automotive supply market specifically for stainless steel, but try a restaurant supply store. Restaurant kitchens (and some home kitchens) use a great deal of stainless steel and and there are products made just for it.

That should make your car's stainless parts clean enough to pass health department inspection and eat off of!

Try a very fine grit stainless steel pad. I used it to take the flat black paint off my window trim and rocker panels. They came out really nice. A little chrome polish after that makes it look good.

Try " BARKEEPERS POLISH"
Available in food stores - for use on SS cookware
Haven't tried it on the car but works great on SS pots/pans
Its a fine rubbing powder like Comet or Borax -
Should work well
Al

Tripoli is a good buffing compound for stainless(aluminum also)
Small stick of Tripoli won't cost more than a couple of bucks,
and the cotton wheel for your drill shouldn't cost much more.
Extreme care is needed when working around painted surfaces.
Buffing wheels can and do heat up the metal you are polishing
and if you do that to the paint, imagine what might happen.

hi,

call me. i have polished for about 5 years. home depot can supply you with what you need. if not i can give you a bar of compoud, buff etc. that you need for steel.

410-215-0323 - cell - call any time
410-592-8117 - home office - call any time

mark v

|UPDATED|9/7/2004 11:11:04 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Home Depot has the buffing compound and buffing wheels in the tool section. Check out Eastwood's catalog or website for their recommendations on the compound and wheels. I am getting the white rouge and loose wheels to polished my t-top top side moldings.
Roger

I have not thought about what type metal those trim pieces were made of. Previously I just used Mothers mag wheel polish and they came out pretty good. The polish says it is good for all metals. I have also used a product called Sonshine Metal Polish. Small home brew type product that works incredibly good (bought at a local vette car show).