How to Remove Scratched Coating from Stainless Steel Travel Mug

I like big mugs and I can not lie.

Tutorial on how to remove scratched coating from a travel mug:

I know many people have entire shelves dedicated to their insulated stainless steel travel (coffee) mugs. 

Do you know who else has quite the collection? 

Thrift stores!

If you walk into any thrift store you would be hard pressed not to find shelves and shelves of them.

Because I am Salvage Sister, and this debt reduction has been a priority, the only ones I have is this one, that I’ve had for quite a few years and a couple of freebie ones.

*But if you do donate, don’t do this 🙂

This travel mug has been great up until it got some scratches.  No big deal right?  Well, I don’t know why it bothered me, but it did.  I didn’t like the feeling of the scratches every time I picked it up.  It bugged me.  All I wanted to do is pick at it…and pick at it I did.

It seemed to be coming off easily with a few swipes of a fingernail but it really was messy and annoying as it left flakes of coating everywhere. And at the rate of picking at it, it would have taken quite a while to finish the whole bottle.

Plan B

I decided to try another option.

When I was picking at the travel mug it reminded me of flicking nail polish of a chipped nail.💡

So, why not try nail polish remover?

I decided to try it on the bottom of the mug first in case anything went wrong.  But really, after picking at this thing the mug was not in great shape..appearance wise.

With a cotton ball and some nail polish remover, I attempted to remove the coating from the stainless steel travel mug.

It was successfully coming off at the bottom so I attempted to try the rest of it to see what would happen.

RESULTS

As you can see, the mug is just fine.  I actually really like the stainless look as it feels as smooth as a baby’s bottom. No more picking for me.

I think this mug will last me a good long while.  

Except if you are taking photos of it and it accidentally falls into the water.  Thankfully we rescued it and the mug is just fine.

SUPPLIES USED:

*We use affiliate links that will show products used. We could receive a small amount if a purchase is made.  You can read our full disclosure policy here.

• Cotton Balls
• Nail Polish Remover, honestly just use what you have on hand or the dollar store stuff here.
• Junk Towel(s)
• Scratched Mug, this is the one I have and now it looks like the stainless one right next to it.

HOW TO REMOVE SCRATCHED COATING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Set mug on a junk towel and remove the cap (top).
2. In a well-ventilated area, dip a cotton ball into the nail polish remover and test an area that you want to remove.  If successful, continue to use.
3. You will need several cotton balls to complete one mug.
4. Use a paper towel or rag to brush off the film.
5. After the film has been removed, completely wash the travel mug.

So, am I the only one that is bugged by a scratched mug?  I hope I am not alone.  If I’m not, we hope this DIY tutorial on how to remove scratched coating from a travel mug will get it in great shape.

Before you go, here are a few more posts we think you will enjoy:

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