This article will explain what is No 8 Finish Stainless Steel and how to Polish Stainless Steel To Mirror Finish. This will also cover the benefits and purposes of this finish. If you’re interested in polishing stainless steel sheet or relative items to mirror finish, keep reading to learn more about this finish! In this article, we’ll look at what makes a mirror finish a good choice for kitchen appliances, kitchen sinks, and other architectural metal items.
What Is No. 8 Finish Stainless Steel?
No. 8 finish is one of the highest polish levels for stainless steel, the surface can be achieved with a mirror effect, so No. 8 finish stainless steel is also known as mirror finish stainless steel. It is available in various color and pattern combinations that can be agreed upon between the manufacturers and the customers. This finish is used in decorative and ornamental applications. In some cases, this finish is also used to match other materials in complex designs. Stainless steel that is No 8 finish is easier to maintain. No. 8 finish is used for decorative stainless steel sheet and other purposes of stainless steel.
Mirror / No. 8 finish stainless steel comes with the highest-reflective surface. It is achieved by polishing the steel with successively finer abrasives and extensive buffing. It also minimizes grit lines that may occur during preliminary grinding operations. Many fabricators produce this finish by removing welds and simulating the original mill finish. The machining marks and welds are refined through standard rough-polishing processes, but the end result must be close to the mill finish.
The Purposes Of Polishing Metal With Mirror Finish
Many metals lose their gloss after processing. Stainless steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, and brass are among the hardest metals to polish. The common processes used to polish metals are sanding, filing, and ultrasonic polishing. Mirror polishing is achieved by sanding stainless steel with grits ranging from 400 to 2000. The final step is the application of the polishing compound to the finished surface.
Mirror finishes are often chosen for stainless steel items such as appliances, faucets, and kitchen fittings. Aside from being beautiful, mirror finishes are also highly corrosion resistant, eliminating deep scratches that harbor corrosive particles. These properties are particularly useful for coastal architectural projects and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to enhancing the aesthetics of stainless steel products, mirror stainless steel finishes are also useful for reducing the risk of breakage and chipping.
A mirror finish is a more attractive finish than an ordinary one. Stainless steel with this finish is less likely to become contaminated by bacteria and stains and is generally easier to clean. It is created by working through grit grades until the final product has a roughness index (Ra) less than 0.2. Ra measures the microscopic peaks and valleys in a metal’s surface and a lower Ra value indicates a smoother surface.
Stainless steel mirrors are available in a wide variety of materials, including frosted and scratched varieties. Select the right material for your application. A typical stainless steel mirror can be either #400 or #800. The difference between these two finishes is in the amount of polishing and mechanical strength required. In addition, each type has different appearances. #400 mirror is much lighter than an #800 mirror finish.
How To Polish Stainless Steel To Mirror Finish
How To Polish Stainless Steel To Mirror Finish? There are a few of techniques and steps to achieve a No. 8 mirror finish, You can use a polishing wheel to apply the compound to the metal. Use a soft circular motion to spread the compound evenly over the metal. You can apply a layer of polish on one section of the metal before buffing it with a separate piece. After buffing the surface, wipe off the excess polish.
Leveling
Polishing and finishing of stainless steel take time and careful work. If you attempt to do it manually, you'll find it difficult, and you can end up causing further damage to your product. Using a Dremel tool or a hand-held grinder won't guarantee a high-quality finish, and stainless steel is a very hard material. Watch a video tutorial on the procedure to learn more about the process and safety precautions.
Before attempting to polish your stainless steel, make sure it is completely clean. Before beginning the process, clean the steel with a clean mop to prevent particles from getting rooted in the metal. Use different polishes and clean cloths to avoid leaving streaks or irregularities. A good company that sells stainless steel has certified polishing discs in various sizes. Sunflag Iron and Steel Company Limited has round, hexes, and flat sheets.
Sanding
The process of sanding stainless steel to a mirror finish is very similar to that of polishing other metals. The grade of sandpaper that is used depends on the original finish of the metal. For normal mill-finished stainless, 120 grit sandpaper is usually best. For other types of stainless, you can use 240, 400, 800, or 1500 grit sandpaper. When polishing metal, use a belt sander or a buffing wheel.
Once the metal has reached the desired level of shine, it is time to apply the polishing compound. You will need a large amount of this compound. It may take several days to apply. The sandpaper should be purchased specifically for this purpose. For localized spots, you can use a coarser grit. Then, you can move to higher grits to make the surface mirror-like.
Polishing
Polishing stainless steel to a mirror finish is a process used to achieve a glossy, reflective surface. The goal is to remove surface imperfections, including fine wear marks, and produce a mirror-like finish. Polishing stainless steel produces an even surface and eliminates crevices, making cleaning much easier. Here are some tips for achieving a mirror finish on your stainless steel tubing. Once you've completed this step, your stainless steel tubing should look like a polished mirror.
To begin the process, begin by cleaning the stainless steel surface thoroughly using professional degreasers. Use finer sandpaper to remove fine scratches. Then, move to coarser grit sandpaper to remove larger scratches. Depending on the amount of roughness, use grit 800 or higher, depending on the end result you're after. When polishing the surface, make sure to hold the workpiece at a 90-degree angle so that any scratches are removed from the surface.
The Benefits Of Mirror Finish Stainless Steel
- Mirror finish stainless steel comes with a high-gloss surface that provides high reflectivity, such a material can create a sophisticated and luxurious feel to the space of commercial and residential properties. Its basic material is stainless steel, which is well known for its durability and strength. All these properties of mirror stainless steel can provide architecture and decoration with aesthetics and practical utilities, and make it a popular option for architects and designers to use as an element for their design.
- The mirror finish stainless steel provides a natural and metallic texture that is commonly regarded as the expert fabrication technique and a high-quality property. The supper mirrored effect on the surface is achieved by applying a non-directional #8 polishing process. A high reflective and shiny surface gives it a clean, elegant, and stylish appearance that is ideal to be used for modern elements for architectural projects.
- The mirror polished stainless steel sheet is one of the essential materials for architects and designers to add an edge to their projects and designs. A building with some reflective and shiny surfaces creates a modern feel to it and also lets people have a spacious feeling. With the additional and original properties of stainless steel material, it can give you many innovative ideas during the process of architectural and decorative works.
Things To Consider When Applying No. 8 Finish For Stainless Steel
To achieve the No. 8 mirror finish, start by buffing stainless steel with 150-240 grit sandpaper. Move on to 400, 600, and finally 1200 grit sandpaper. 2000 grit sandpaper is not necessary, but can add a little sheen. Use a sander with a speed between four and six thousand RPMs. Use circular motions to avoid leaving behind residue.
When using an angle grinder, make sure that you wear protective eyewear and goggles. The metal contacts are sharp and can cause sparks and noise. The disc can break at times, so make sure it is properly fitted and inspected for damage before starting the process. Then, secure your workpiece in place. You must also wear a pair of gloves. This method is effective for achieving the No. 8 mirror finish, but it may be tricky if you have little experience in this field.
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