A stainless steel backsplash, range hood and stainless steel appliances brighten a kitchen considerably, so it's no mystery why so many people are ripping out and replacing their aging kitchen decor. The most challenging task is picking the right pattern from the many choices offered.
This is not a scientific survey, but based on customer inquiries and purchases over the last year, it appears that people are accepting they will be in their current homes until the market turns around. The numbers of requests for kitchen renovation products seems to indicate they’ve taken the “bloom where you’re planted” approach and are remodeling the rooms that made them want to move in the first place.
Since the kitchen is the one room that breeds discontent the fastest, updating to a modern stainless steel look is the dominate subject on “Ask Frank” questions. The most common questions are related to selecting the right thickness, installation issues and occasionally care related inquiries? You’ll find numerous articles about stainless steel on this blog, covering all of the aforementioned subjects, but care is a subject that should be addressed because as amazing as this metal is, the reality is that it is stain-less steel, not stain-proof. This highly durable alloy is almost bullet proof when it comes to normal use and abuse, but it is possible to abuse anything. Fortunately, if you do something regrettable the recovery process isn’t that difficult with this resilient metal.
The term Stainless Steel describes an alloy, or blend of materials, that contain a minimum of 10.5% of chromium. Chromium is a chemical element that makes steel lustrous and hard, enabling a high polish, resistance to corrosion and discoloration. Bumpers on vintage vehicles were electroplated with chromium, which gave them the bright mirror-like finish that car enthusiasts admire so much. Travel almost any roadway today and you’ll soon realize that a Harley Davidson be a poor shadow of itself without the heavy applications of chrome?
The disadvantage of chrome plating is that it is only a surface application and stainless steel is an alloy combined at great temperatures so the chromium is blended throughout the entire thickness of stainless steel. Once the metal is rolled to its different thicknesses and the surface is treated with a variety of patterns, the elements complete the task naturally.
The remarkable aspect of this amazing metal occurs when chromium comes into contact with the air we breathe. When exposed to oxygen, chromium becomes passivated and forms a thin protective oxide layer on its surface. Although this layer is only a few atoms thick it is very dense, preventing oxygen from penetrating the underlying molecules. In comparison, when oxygen comes into contact with common carbon steel, it migrates down into the underlying material causing rust to form. And the most amazing thing is this protective layer heals itself when scratched or damaged.
The beauty, resilience, durability and simplicity of stainless steel is a powerful combination.
Normal care for stainless steel can be handled in a number of ways, depending on your personal preference. Stainless steel sinks need to be dried down with a soft towel if you want to keep the water stains to a minimum and the shine to a maximum, but for most homes you’ll only need to treat the backsplashes and major appliances once a week. Naturally that will vary depending with the number of little fingerprints you have in your home and what your personal expectations are in this regard. While this metal requires little care, some routine attention will protect and prolong its beauty indefinitely. The critical factor is to use non-abrasive cleaners and there are some more natural ways to maintain these shiny surfaces. In my younger years, I worked in a restaurant and cleaning up before closing was one of night shift jobs. All surfaces were treated with a soft cleaning cloth dampened with light oil such as mineral oil or olive oil and then any excess was removed with a dry towel. With an all stainless steel kitchen it was quite a lot of metal to tend but the entire kitchen really sparkled when we were through.
For watermarks in stainless steel sinks and surrounding backsplashes, try sponging on a solution of two teaspoons of baking soda dissolved in a cup of warm water. Use the damp sponge to apply the solution in a circular motion, then rinse and dry the treated surfaces with a soft dry cloth to remove any watermarks and fingerprints.
Vinegar is another natural option that does a great job of removing water spots. Just dilute the vinegar about 50/50 with distilled water to eliminate mineral content. Spray the surfaces evenly and wipe clean with a soft cloth. Any residual vinegar odor evaporates quickly.
Brushed stainless steel has a distinctive pattern. When polishing a complicated pattern such as this you must rub with the grain in very short strokes.
Sometimes accidents happen, like sitting a very hot skillet on a stainless steel surface. Exposure to extreme heat will discolor stainless steel, but all is not lost. Stainless steel polish will remove this discoloration but the downside for many polishes is their application requires heavy doses of elbow grease. Also, when using a polish that will remove discoloration or scratches in the surface of any metal, you must pay attention to the pattern of application. Make sure you apply the polish with the grain on stainless steel that has a brushed pattern or you could be altering the original pattern or creating additional patterns that remain after the original problem is solved. For stainless steel appliances, check to make sure the manufacturer recommends using polish on their product’s surface. Since there are numerous brands of stainless steel polish, instructions may vary so, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the brand you choose and remove all residues with a soft, clean towel.
Char-Brite is easy to apply and the shine lasts for a long time.
A polish that does NOT require any rubbing is Char-Brite. Simply apply Char-Brite sparingly and remove any excess with a clean cloth for a brilliant shine. Char-Bright removes dirt and grime, greasy film, water marks, it even covers scratches. Once applied, it immediately forms a protective coating on any surface, repels water, prevents penetration of harmful liquids, and retains its gloss indefinitely. It also preserves the surface against deterioration of all kinds! And it’s guaranteed not to contain acid, silicon, or any abrasive substance. It is also guaranteed not to powder or cake in crevices.
The beauty of stainless steel can be extended for years to come, with the regular care described here, and one of these several options should work well for you. However, if you have a personal favorite I’ve not mentioned I’d love to hear from you.
Decorative Stainless steel comes in a variety of patterns and for many the most challenging part of an upgrade is selecting just one from the many beautiful options. To simplify the process, a stainless steel sample pack is available to help you visualize how each would look in your own kitchen. QSM also offers replacement panels for dishwashers, and if your particular model doesn’t fall within the standard sizes, a custom cut is not a problem. For all your stainless steel or copper needs, contact the friendly customer service team at QuickShipMetals.com, or give them a toll-free call at 1-888-334-2177, and take the next step toward your dream kitchen project.
