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Cleaning glass bead blasted stainless steel

We have designed two joinery units for an interior project. The finished cladding is 3mm glass bead blasted stainless steel. During installation of the units, and the AV equipment inside, the s/s has become marked with fingerprints.

We have been advised by the builder that he has tried to clean them off with warm soapy water. They appear to be cleaned off, but as the s/s dries, the fingermarks reappear. Unfortunately, I am not sure if it is a specific type of grease or just general oil and grime.

I did have a sample of glass bead blasted s/s on which I rubbed olive oil and general handling. This I was able to clean with soap and water.

There is not the opportunity to douse the units in water, nor spray with substance as the doors have ventilation slots cut into them for the AV equipment behind. I hope that you may be able to help.

Kind regards,

Elanor Falle
architecture - Sydney, NSW, Australia
2003

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In this case, you may have to try a solvent. It sounds as if there is more to it than just finger prints.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2003

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G'Day,

Your problem definitely sounds like "rusty fingers" As a Plastic-injection mould finisher/TIG mould repairer I have to be very careful about delivering the agreed finish to a client especially if it is a high lustre or micron finish. This agreed finish does not include spots of unknown origin or doubtful finish. It sounds like whoever handled your S/Steel project had a high acidic value in the fatty acids... we all have on our skin i.e., the palms of the hand. Various foodstuffs including alcohol can alter the alkalinity of those fatty acids....some people just have naturally occurring "acid hands".

If you still can clean down the whole area again with solvent and allow it to dry. Doing the glass bead treatment again would now be your best recourse as a follow up.

Michael Hein
- Sydney, NSW, Australia
2003

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Try using isopropyl alcohol ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] on a soft cotton rag, it works well to remove fingerprints on brush finished or bead blasted stainless steel.

Jim Sivertsen
refining & alloys - Alden, N.Y., U.S.A.
2003