Frequently asked questions
A stainless steel kitchen sink is in absolute perfection when it does not have scratches, stains, or rust on it. Although made out of the most durable materials, there may be instances when your sink gets dirt or ugly marks. If this happens, you have to be completely worry-free because there are several ways to get rid of them. This article provides the solutions to removing scratches and stains that have obliterated the quality of your kitchen fixtures.
The scratches from your stainless steel kitchen sink can be removed in a number of ways. However, total elimination of the ugly mark is dependent on the type or severity of damage that was incurred in your kitchen fixtures.
Some sink scratches can be removed easily while others will permanently leave marks on your sink no matter how hard you try to erase it. Nevertheless, you should find solutions to beautify your sink so it can retain the quality it once had. Here are some ways to remove the scratches:
- Scratches are inevitable in any material – particularly in a stainless steel kitchen sink. The scratches will become uniform with the sink's grain if you do not prevent it from leaving permanent marks. It is therefore recommended to purchase a customized sink grid to safeguard the bowl's bottom prior to using the kitchen fixture.
- Minor scratches can be easily relieved by Scotch Brite. A soft scouring pad together with a deep cleansing agent can be a perfect solution to this minor problem. Remember to rub across the entire sink surface and rinse thoroughly afterwards.
- If the scratches are severe, you can try the pumice-rubbing compound which can be bought from the hardware.
Remember, some scratches may be hard to soften despite the measures mentioned above. It is also possible that the damaged area will look different from the rest of the sink surface after the restoration process.
It is also best to use preventive techniques so your sinks are left with no ugly marks at all. For example, you can use an iron-free polishing compound or a nylon pad to maintain your sinks. You can also avoid using metal brushes so your sink can avoid getting scratches.
Rust is not a usual problem in a stainless steel kitchen sink. However, rust particles from outside sources can contaminate and cause these ugly marks on your kitchen fixtures.
Today, there are many solutions which can remove residue from hard water stains, lime deposits, rust, and tarnish. Just follow the directions written on the bottle and you can be sure of eliminating the ugly spots on your stainless steel kitchen sink.
Stainless steel is an extremely durable surface. Although Nautika sinks are heavy gauge and high quality (type 304), they can be scratched, and scuffed. Hard objects can scratch your sink with impact, while such scratches can be blended in using inox cream, and fine ScotchBrite pads. Do not use steel wool, or wire brush to clean Nautika products. Daily care of your sink will avoid most stains, whereas persistent rust which is a result of an outside source such as cookware can be removed with non-abrasive stainless steel cleaners.
Do not forget to avoid using hypochlorite bleaches, and silver dip cleaners, and do not leave citric fruit juices, vinegar, or salt for long periods on your stainless steel sink.
Cleaning on a daily basis is essential. After every use, the sink has to be wiped with soft, soapy cloth, then rinsed, and dried in order to avoid any film build up that may occur due to hard water deposits. You may consider products such as Spic and Span Liquid. Lysol anti-bacterial cleaner, or any product containing chloride to clean your Nautika Sink.
No. Rubber mats trap water causing iron deposits, and surface discoloration.
It is the thickness of the stainless steel sheet used. The lower the number of the gauge, the thicker the stainless steel. High quality residential kitchen sinks are usually 18 gauge (1.2mm).
A topmount sink has a lip that folds over the countertop, and rests on top of the countertop cut-out, while an undermount sink is securely installed from under the counter with fasteners. Undermount sinks expose a polished edge of granite, or marble along the cut-outs, and require more polishing, and labor. Undermount sink cut-out is therefore a more expensive option.
Yes. Material content, and quality changes from one type of stainless steel, to another. Some stainless steel sinks look bright, and shiny at first, but rust and corrode in time. Corrosion resistance, and durability strictly depends on the best combination of chromium, and nickel content. Therefore, all Nautika sinks are made of a high quality 18/8 chrome/nickel alloy, grade 304 steel which is metallurgically incapable of rusting or corroding in normal household conditions.
Satin finish is synonym to the brushed finish as opposed to gloss/polished finish. This brushing process produces the straight lines that covers the inside of your sink bowl(s).
This might work but it will be very messy and probably not give you the best results. First of all, your top mount sink was most likely caulked around the edge, between the sink lip and the granite surface. When you lift the sink, you will see a caulking stain that will most likely be impossible to remove because it has been there for a long time. Secondly, a fabricator will have to re-cut and polish the opening to the fit the new undermount sink. A topmount sink cut-out is usually larger than an undermount polished cutout so we doubt you will find a large enough undermount sink that will allow you to do what you want. If you want to pursue this further, start by measuring the already cut opening in the existing countertop. You might have to get under the sink to measure how and where it was cut. Then look for an undermount sink that is bigger than the opening and still fits within your cabinet size. If you pass these two hurdles, go ahead and pull the sink up to see how bad the caulking stain is.