Removing scratches from polished stainless steel plaque

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Last year we had a bench put in our local park with a memorial plaque for a family member. Went down there today and discovered some thoughtless little git has scratched up the plaque. It looks like it has been done with a key or similar. I don't think we will be able to get it looking like new, but does anyone have any suggestions on how to polish it to try and minimise the damage?

Baby oil on a microfibre cloth might disguise the scratches.

That sounds worth a try. I've done a bit of googling but all the products on offer seem to be for brushed steel. I'll have a go with baby oil (looking like a loony cleaning the park furniture) and see how it looks

Do you know if it's been lacquered?

If not I would try a chrome polish from a car type shop, (Halfords etc).

Stainless steel scratches unfortunately - the best way to disguise the scratches might be to use something like a Scothbrite scourer to give the whole plaque a brushed look. Scothbrite pads are used in silversmithing and metal working for this.

Ooh that's an interesting idea, thank you, I'll check it out. I've just come across something called cape cod polish cloths. Anyone know if that would help?

Without specialist polishing equipment, you are unlikely to make much impression on the scratches, especially not deliberate ones. All polishing clothes, substances, etc are abrasive to some degree. Unfortunately I doubt the polish cloths you refer to will make much difference.