Australia's Science Forum

Has anyone got these in their labs? After our first week using the new lab they have rust stains!!!
Apparently they are made to Aus Standard specification and there is nothing we can do about it. The local forensic lab also have the same ones and have the same problem. So does anyone have any ideas on how to clean them and maybe protect them? The project managers only suggestion was commercial stainless steel cleaner to but a film on them. Honestly, they did one prac in the room (reactivity of metals) using 1M HCl and they look 20 years old now.

We don't have s/s benches, but our s/s sinks rusted very quickly, once acids were put down them.

Is any one else having problems with their sinks. I clean ours but honestly they look awful. Ours are only 1 year old. What the hell are they going to look like in 5 years time. Wish their was something I could spray them with.

A few years ago on a home improvement show, better homes etc I think, they used car cutting compound to restore an old steel sink....I keep meaning to try it but haven't yet.
Like others, we have sinks stained by acids/alkalis, & my main prep bench is stainless steel but has marked over the years. I just clean it & spray with '3M steel clean & polish' & it comes up OK, but I'll try the cutting compound at the end of the year & see how it comes up.
Another option is to cover it. Our labbies in the middle school had a large piece of clear perspex made to fit over the top of their steel prep bench to protect it.

Hello
It is called Tea staining...no I have not had my cup of coffee for the morning....my new sinks grade 316 S/S....has it...see link for care
http://www.assda.asn.au/technical-info/ ... a-staining

Amanda

That was very interesting reading Amanda, but I am about 1.5 hours from the coast. I think it is very bad quailty s/s. I did have a laugh, do not use HCL any where near new s/s. How in heavens name can we do that. Tea staining, in cups we use salt. Really great reading thank you.

Try eucalyptus oil .....I use it and works well and smells great

HI JUdy R, Many thanks, it works pretty good, so easly too. Thanks for that tip.

I make my old SS sinks sparkle with steel wool and sunlight soap!

Jif & a scouring pad works for me!

Ahhh Ocker, I can just see you scrubbing out your sinks!

I could make a lot of replies to this but they would all get me into trouble.
You are an EVIL woman Sunray