I was fascinated by the gleaming process posted in the newsletter some time ago. I found that using a Stainless steel washer as described had imperfections in it and therefore put groves in my track. I needed a much harder and much more refined steel. I Play the steel guitar and had an old steel that I don’t use anymore and decided to try that. I found it works much better that the washer and is much easier to control. Now these steels are not cheap but with a lot of track work to gleam, Who’s counting?
Stainless washers have 2 sides. I side is typically the cut side and yes it will score your track. The other side is usually rounded and is the side to use when gleaming. Another metal that is similar in hardness would work but stainless is a good standard to go by.