Tips for getting rust out of a polished stainless steel cabinet?

I’ve got a stripped barrister bookcase that has developed rust over the years. It’s polished so I’m looking for a way to remove the rust without any sanding marks. I’ve tried the baking soda/water paste method and it didn’t really put a dent in it. If anyone has another method / product to recommend I’m all ears! Thank you! [IMG_6731](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:Xofb:img_6731.jpg.jpg)

annep

in General Discussion 2 years and 9 months ago

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justinromeu26 | 2 years and 9 months ago

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I have not used naval jelly myself since the 1970’s for two reasons: first, it contains acids and now that i do more serious polishing, i find that there are better, cheaper acids available commercially; second, that level of rust on op’s cabinet looks as though it has pitted the metal. It is no longer surface. To level the pitting out one will have to sand and the pitting is probably such that it will require a heavy grit, 60 or so. If op is lucky, 80.

Btw, if someone begins sanding something with 60-180 paper, they cannot just sand that spot, they have to reach a little wider of a depression will be visible on the spot. As you move to smaller grits, you can narrow your focus.

markwalker | 2 years and 9 months ago

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I wonder if Naval Jelly would clean it up? We used it to refurbish metal tools.

justinromeu26 | 2 years and 9 months ago

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Stainlesd steel will rust but not like that. That is plain old mild steel. In addition to the wood finishing i do, i polish and finish some metals. You can sand this out but if you plan on sanding it and polishing it to leave it raw or put an oil or clear coat on it, you might have to sand the spots with like 100 grit, 120, 150, 180, 220, 320, 400, 600, and the sand the entire thing with 800 and a 1000 or even 1200 to blend the spots. Maybe even wet sand anything above 400. And dry. It would help if you used a straight line sander. An orbital will leave hard to remove orbits at low grits.

This thing would look nice with gun blue on it. Or metal black. These are acids that treat the metal. They can then be coated with like linseed oil.

If you want to know more about the finishes, write back. I have pictures of the types abbot paint has on my phone.

Steve
Www.brownstonehomeinspection.com
Www.thetinkerswagon.com