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How to reduce scratches on stainless steel?

Do you have a scratched stainless steel backsplash? Want to restore a stainless steel hood? Discover right now how to reduce scratches on stainless steel with our best tips!

5 tips for reducing scratches on a stainless steel sheet

Stainless steel, this shiny metal, has earned a prominent place in our interiors. With its versatility, it enhances our kitchens as a backsplash, brightens our rooms as a mirror, and protects our surfaces as a sheet. However, beware of small cleaning or usage mistakes: stainless steel can scratch quickly.

The good news? Many websites share their grandmother's tips for fixing these imperfections. Stay with us, because we have tested and compared these methods to reveal the ultimate tip against scratches on stainless steel!

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is an abrasive product that can slightly polish a surface. To reduce scratches on stainless steel, apply a thin layer of toothpaste in the direction of the brushed finish on your custom stainless steel sheet using a soft cloth.

Let it dry, then rinse with soapy water before drying with a microfiber cloth.

Clay stone (or silver stone)

Clay stone is known for making metals shine brilliantly, whitening your trendiest sneakers, and cleaning plastics.

It is one of the essential products to have in your cleaning arsenal. Very easy to find in stores, it can also be prepared at home for the more motivated among you. Clay stone is effective on shallow scratches thanks to its action that polishes imperfections.

By applying clay stone with a sponge in the direction of the brushed finish on the stainless steel, the small scratches will be reduced.

Scratch-removing eraser for stainless steel

You can find abrasive erasers in stores that allow you to clean without damaging the surface. These very fine-grit erasers must be used in the direction of the brushed finish, and repeated passes will gradually remove micro-scratches.

Car polish

Just as you would use it to remove scratches from a car's bodywork, polish can be used to remove micro-scratches on stainless steel. Again, the product must be applied in the direction of the brushed finish on the sheet to avoid creating new scratches. However, be careful with the product you use, as some polishes may dull your sheet.

In that case, you can restore the shine to your stainless steel backsplash by using clay stone.

600-grit body shop sandpaper

Body shop sandpaper is a very fine abrasive paper used for sanding car body paint. It comes in different grits depending on the sanding stage (generally you start with a coarser grit and finish with a very fine paper for a smooth, shiny finish).

To restore your scratch marks on your stainless steel sheet or hood panel, it is recommended to use a 600 grit in the direction of the brushed finish. Similar to steel wool, the principle is to sand away the unwanted scratches while trying to match the original brushed direction.

What is the best trick for removing scratches on stainless steel?

Product	Recommended use	Visual result
Silver stone	Refresh the surface	Good
Scratch remover	Refresh the surface	Good
Abrasive eraser	Remove scratches permanently	Excellent
600-grit body shop sandpaper	Remove scratches permanently	Excellent

According to our tests, the abrasive eraser and 600-grit body shop sandpaper are the most effective solutions for permanently removing scratches from stainless steel.

They provide an excellent visual result from the very first passes. For a surface refresh, silver stone and scratch remover are recommended, offering a good visual result.

What product should you not use on stainless steel?

It is strongly advised not to use abrasive products on stainless steel, as they can scratch and damage the surface. Here are some examples of products to avoid:

Abrasive powder
Steel wool
Limescale removal products

These products can remove the protective chromium oxide layer of stainless steel, which can then lead to oxidation and rust.

It is always preferable to use cleaning products specifically designed for stainless steel or gentle home remedies like soapy water.

What to do about deep scratches on stainless steel?

To treat deep scratches on your stainless steel sheet, various online resources and forums suggest solutions such as using polishing compound, fiberglass wool, or even a professional sander.

However, implementing these tips can prove complex as they require additional equipment, and a favorable outcome is not guaranteed.

If the surface of your stainless steel sheet is severely damaged, our recommendation would be to replace it:

Posted in: Metal advice

Author: John Steel

John Steel is the expert voice of the workshop, specializing in custom-cut metal and DIY projects. With extensive expertise in machining and laser cutting stainless steel, aluminium, mild steel, Corten, and brass sheet metal, he provides makers, tradespeople, and DIY enthusiasts with practical tutorials, technical comparisons, and custom design advice. Whether designing a stainless steel kitchen splashback, an aluminium privacy screen, or a specific mechanical part, John shares his technical knowledge to ensure metalworking is accessible, precise, and durable for the Steelsters community.

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By: Denis On 2024-12-19

Bonjour,
Commercialisez-vous les produits qui ont été répertoriés dans le tableau se trouvant sur votre site, notamment la gomme abrasive et le papier carrossier 600?
Merci pour votre réponse.
Cordialement,
Denis M-L

Replied by: John Steel On 2024-12-20 Bonjour Denis,

Merci pour votre message.

Malheureusement, nous ne commercialisons pas ces deux produits. Cependant, nous pouvons vous recommander des alternatives similaires, disponibles dans des magasins de bricolage proches de chez vous, tels que Leroy Merlin, Mr. Bricolage, et d'autres enseignes spécialisées.

Nous espérons que ces conseils vous seront utiles et restons à votre disposition pour toute autre question.

Cordialement,
Alexis - John Steel.
By: Balland On 2023-09-03

J ai lu que l on pouvait attenuer rayure sur plaque de cuisson en inox en utilisant laine d acier 000 . Bonne ou mauvaise idée ? Merci de votre réponse

Replied by: John Steel On 2023-09-04 Bonjour,
Je vous remercie pour votre demande.

Tout dépend votre habileté, vous n'aller pas atténuer les rayures mais créer de nouvelles par dessus.
L'idée avec la laine d'acier est de faire un brossage plus esthétique sur toute la surface.
Quand c'est bien fait c'est plutôt jolie, mais cela demande une certaine maîtrise et en général le resultat est moins beau que les rayures initiales.

Si les rayures sont vraiment gênantes, vous pouvez essayer, mais attention à essayer d'appliquer la même force sur toute la surface.

Cordialement,
Brigitte