Answer
For stainless appliance scratches, sand with the grain. Start with 400 or 600, then refine with 800.
Why it happens
Visible stainless surfaces often have a directional grain. Sanding across the grain creates mismatched lines.
Recommended grit
Use 400 or 600 for light scratch blending, then 800 or finer only for finer matching.
Wet or dry
Dry first; wet can be used at finer stages with clean water.
Success check
The repaired area follows the original grain direction and does not show cross-scratches.
What to do
- Find the direction of the stainless grain.
- Test in a hidden spot first.
- Sand lightly with the grain using 400 or 600.
- Refine with 800 if the scratch pattern needs to be finer.
Avoid: Do not sand across the visible stainless grain.