Stainless steel WILL corrode, it's just much more impervious to corrosion than mild steel. Plus it also depends on the type and grade of SS (austenitic, ferritic, marsenitic).

Also noticed that you're from Buffalo where there seems to be a plethora of snow during the winter. My guess is that if it's anythihng like here, there's loads of road salt being utilized. This will accelerate corrosion.

Always start with a gentle cleaner and work gradually with more aggressive cleaning/polishing agents until it comes clean. I start with a cleaner, then move to a mild polishing compound for paint finishes, then rubbing compound (for paint finishes again), etc.

Redcoat Raceworks. Performance parts and custom fabricating for Contours, Mystiques and Cougars. Specializing in chassis and suspension parts. Custom end links, control arms, strut tower bars, engine torque braces, etc.