Stainless Steel Scratch Repair: Can It Be Fixed Without Replacing the Panel?

By Tom Kuhn, CEO, Rose Restoration
Rose Restoration has restored marble, terrazzo, concrete, and natural stone across DC, MD, and VA since 1978.

Scratched, scuffed, or etched stainless steel is one of the most common complaints in elevators, commercial kitchens, and lobbies. The good news: in almost every case the panel does not need to be replaced. Stainless can be re-finished in place so the damage disappears.

Why Stainless Scratches Can Be Removed

Stainless steel has a directional finish, a grain, applied at the factory. Scratches break that grain. By sanding out the damage and re-establishing the grain in the same direction and grit, our craftsmen blend the repair into the surrounding surface so it is invisible, not just covered up.

Stainless has a grain, and a repair that ignores it is visible from across the room. Our stainless steel restoration service grain-matches scratch removal on elevator panels, doors, handrails and appliance fronts.

What We Repair

• Elevator cab walls, doors, and frames
• Appliance fronts, hoods, and commercial kitchen surfaces
• Railings, handrails, and architectural trim
• Storefronts, entry hardware, and signage

Repair vs Replace

Replacing an elevator stainless panel means fabrication, downtime, and significant cost. Re-graining the existing panel restores it at a fraction of the price, usually on an after-hours schedule so the elevator or space stays in service. Even graffiti etching and acid damage can typically be refinished out.

Restore Your Stainless

See our stainless steel restoration and scratch removal service, or explore all of our metal restoration work across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Send photos of the damage for a written estimate. Rose Restoration, since 1978.

Written by

Tom Kuhn

Chief Executive Officer, Rose Restoration. The company has restored marble, terrazzo, concrete and natural stone across Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia since 1978, 48 years.