Im not sure if this post is in the right place but it seems like a chemistry expert is who I need. I was cleaning some tile recently and used some acid on the grout. Tried to be careful but apperntly wasn't careful enough. I don't know how but some of the acid got on some appliances. Obvious result, rust... Of course they call the appliances stainless but stainless will not rust. I believe that true stainless has more of a percentage of nickel and chrome than this stuff they are advertising as "stainless steel". They have tried to use some steel cleaners but said that it doesn't completely take care of the problem. Scott I'm sure you have come across this problem before. Are there any solutions? Thank God that the guy is a friend of mine and not too terribly irate. Said he was impressed on how clean the tile was. LOL
Not to be rude but shame on you for not protecting all appliances with plastic when cleaning T&G. Always protect appliances. You can buy the pre-taped rolls of plastic at Lowes for about 6 bucks. Buy some and keep it in your van. Consider this a lesson learned.... With regards to fixing the SS fridge: First off the acid you used has removed the Chromium layer on the SS. The Chromium in the steel combines with the oxygen in the air to form a thin "passive" film of a chromium oxide. Generally speaking, if the SS is scratched, it will self-repair in the presence of oxygen. Since you got an acid on the surface, you have removed the chromium oxide on the surface (so it can't self-repair) which can't be rectified with anything off the shelf. A professional restorer should be able to fix the problem but it will be costly.
Try "Bar keepers Friend" it will fix your ss problems this is a quote from a very experienced guy in the stone business This is correctable. But you should buy every metal polish that you can because it seams that they all work a little different. Bar Keeper Friend is good, but I like a paste from Germany called MAAS, also a liquid called FERON. And use microfiber. It will take awhile but you should be fine.
There are various grades of stainless steel. So although stainless willnot form the common ferric oxide veriety of rust, it may form other oxides that are similar. Some acids will do more damage than others. Spinergy Resuscitate is an acid side cleaner for stone, tile and grout that usually will not harm stainless steel. Still protecting surrounding surfaces is best. Shoudl you still get acid on stainless, here is my list of suggestions. 1) Rinse immediately with a mild alkaline. 2) Use BAr Keeper's Friend as per lable directions. This can be found at stores that supply restuarants. They use it to polish SS. 3) Try an automotive opaint rubbing compound with a buffer. 4) Scratch-B-Gone. They have a product that is sold on-line and in some appliance stores for consumer use. It works pretty well. They also have a few trained folks around the USA, they have a proferssional version of the product and training on how to use it.
