How To Get Scratches Out Of Coated Stainless Steel Appliances

Baking Soda Paste

Polishing the coated stainless steel surface is key in getting scratches out. To get started on polishing, you need the following: baking soda, water.

Here are some steps: 

1. Make a thick paste out of baking soda and water. 
2. Use a damp cloth to apply the paste on the scratch. 
3. Twirl your fingers on the damp cloth with the baking soda paste and scrub on the surface, following the grain. 
4. Check your progress. If the scratches are still visible, continue scrubbing. 
5. If the scratches are no longer visible on the stainless steel, wipe it clean, then finish off with a dry cloth. 

Whitening Toothpaste

If you have some whitening toothpaste lying around, you may also use this to remove scratches on your stainless steel appliances or cookware. Try this out if your baking soda paste does not seem to work. Be careful though, because whitening toothpaste is mildly abrasive, so it’s best to resort to this after initial tries with paste. Just do the following: 

1. First, gently scrub the area where the scratches are with a soft bristle toothbrush. 
2. Then, apply whitening toothpaste on the toothbrush and scrub the scratches.
3. Consistently follow the grain of the stainless steel when scrubbing. 
4. Check your progress by wiping the area clear to see if you’ve removed the scratches. Wipe following the grain as well. 
5. If the scratches are still there, reapply toothpaste and keep on buffing until no scratches are left. It is important to keep the area damp and soaked in toothpaste. 
6. Once all gone, wipe the surface clean, still following the direction of the grain. 
7. Dry the area with a clean cloth. 
8. You may apply olive oil to seal the buffed area. 

Cleaning Vinegar

Also, you may try the cleaning vinegar method. Compared to the ordinary cooking vinegar, the cleaning vinegar is a little more robust and could cut through tough stains. The steps are pretty easy: 

1. Pour cleaning vinegar onto an empty container.
2. Dip a clean cloth on the cleaning vinegar. 
3. Vigorously rub on the surface to buff out the scratches. Do the buffing in one direction, again following the grain of the stainless steel. 
4. If the area dries out, add vinegar to keep it damp as you scrub. 
5. Once the marks are no longer seen, wipe the area clean with a dry cloth. 
6. Wipe the area with olive oil or any gentle oil to polish it. 

Sandpaper

Alternatively, sandpaper may also be used, with just the right level of grit. Be sure that it’s not too soft that your buffing amounts to nothing, or too coarse that you damage the surface. Simply do these steps: 

1. Clean the surface of your appliance where the marks are. Use a damp cloth or a wet sponge to clean it. 
2. Wet the sandpaper and start scrubbing its coarse surface against the appliance or cookware, in the direction of the grain. 
3. Keep scrubbing and soaking the sandpaper in water from time to time. 
4. If the scratches begin to fade and vanish, stop scrubbing. It’s time to dry the surface. 
5. Dry out the surface with a clean cloth. 
6. Polish the area with olive oil or a metal oil or polish. 

Stainless Steel Cleaner

Another alternative method is to use a multi-surface or steel cleaner. This also works well for scratches that run against the grain of the stainless steel. Follow these steps on how to get scratches out of coated stainless steel appliances using a Scotch Brite pad and a 409 cleaner.  

1. Apply a multi-surface cleaner, like a 409, on the scratch. Other options are specially formulated steel cleansers that are not abrasive. 
2. Spread the cleaner and scrub using a Scotchbrite pad. Use just the right pressure. 
3. When scrubbing, follow the direction of the grain of the stainless steel, so you should be scrubbing in one direction only throughout the process. 
4. In between scrubs, wash the Scotchbrite clean in running water. 
5. Reapply the multi-surface cleaner on the scratch every now and then. Do not let the surface dry up. Always keep it wet with the cleaning solution. This makes it much easier to work on.