polishing steel plate

[cale262]

Big fan of POR15, this stuff is bullit proof...

http://www.por15canada.com/

[intarsiabox]

I've seen some really nice sheet steel finished with angle grinders to give it swirls and rainbow type designs. Clear coat afterwards. Have never tried it myself but some artistic ability would probably be required.

[WindowMaker]

I would do scotch brite and do a brushed finish. wil look similar to your stainless appliances. a bit of oil will give it corrosion resistance.

[gregzz4]

I used to work with alumimun
A flapper disc on a polisher gives a unique look
Might look weird on a large piece though ...

[sphelps]

nickle plate it

[bignose]

Flapping the plate to bare metal would be a must but finishing all the pits to a smooth finish would be another task I'm unfamiliar with. Looking at some local plating companies at the moment. With plating does the acid bath eat away the rust and scale or would it be better to flap the steel?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by bignose

Flapping the plate to bare metal would be a must but finishing all the pits to a smooth finish would be another task I'm unfamiliar with. Looking at some local plating companies at the moment. With plating does the acid bath eat away the rust and scale or would it be better to flap the steel?

Not really, it'll will need to be sandblasted and clean. Typically plating companies won't dip anything that isn't as they don't want to introduce any contaminants, even in the acid wash. Keep in mind zinc plating is expensive but nickle plating is cheap. Powder coating will be the cheapest option.

I have to ask, why use a rusty sheet of metal for the stand? Wood is cheap and works better in home type decor. If you insist on using the metal why not get some already finished diamond plate or something, probably cheaper than plating what you have.