Stainless steel finishes offer more than an attractive aesthetic. The surface finish can also improve the metal’s durability, reflectiveness, corrosion resistance, ease of cleaning, and more. Choosing the right stainless steel finish for your application requires careful consideration of its intended application. Learn about the different types of stainless steel finishes to determine the best one for your needs.

Types of Stainless Steel Finishes

A stainless steel finish is a fabrication process used to enhance the base metal’s surface characteristics. Finishes range from matte to mirrored to brushed. Here is an overview of the specific types of stainless steel finishes provided by AAA Metals.

  • Mill Finishes

    Mill Finishes

    These finishes are the starting point for mechanical polishing and other finishing processes. Hot or cold rolling is commonly used to apply this basic finish to all stainless steel sheets.

  • No. 1 Finish

    No. 1 Finish

    This stainless steel finish is produced by hot rolling, annealing, and then pickling the material in an acid solution. The process creates a dull finish ideal for applications where a smooth decorative finish isn't necessary.

  • No. 2D Finish

    No. 2D Finish

    This finish for stainless steel is produced by cold rolling the material, annealing it, and then pickling it in an acid. It creates a smooth, non-reflective, and dull finish commonly used for chemical equipment, hardware, and exhaust components.

  • No. 2B Finish

    No. 2B Finish

    The No. 2B stainless steel finish is created via cold rolling, annealing, and pickling the material in acid, then passing it through light-tempered polished rolls. This finishing process produces a smooth, semi-reflective, and bright finish for pharmaceutical equipment, tanks, cookware, and more.

  • Mechanically Polished Finishes

    Mechanically Polished Finishes

    In these finishing processes, abrasive materials are used to cut into the stainless steel's surface to a controlled degree.

  • No. 3 & No. 4 Finishes

    No. 3 & No. 4 Finishes

    Mechanically polishing a No. 2B finish substrate produces No. 3 and No. 4 finishes. There is corresponding grit for No. 3 and No. 4 to create the desired surface texture. The stainless steel is polished with a ceramic cloth back belt to create a uniform appearance. These are the most common stainless steel finishes, used for food processing components, sinks, elevators, and architectural panels.

  • No. 6 Finish (Satin, Scotch-Brite)

    No. 6 Finish (Satin, Scotch-Brite)

    This stainless steel finish is produced by a ceramic belt to a No. 4 finish and finished with Scotch-Brite to make a smoother finish than a No. 4.

  • No. 7 Finish (Reflective)

    No. 7 Finish (Reflective)

    No. 7 stainless steel finish is made by buffing a finely ground surface to create a highly reflective but not clear surface. Its high luster results in an almost mirror-like look with grit lines still visible on the material.

  • No. 8 Finish (Mirrored)

    No. 8 Finish (Mirrored)

    According to ASTM standards, No. 8 is the most reflective of all stainless steel finishes. To achieve a mirrored finish, the material must be polished with increasingly more abrasive grit, followed by buffing. The highly reflective properties of No. 8 finishes make them ideal for many everyday applications, like wall panels, signage, and press plates.

Benefits of Different Finishes

The different stainless steel finishes provide varying levels of durability, reflectivity, and smoothness. Each finish has its benefits, and understanding these is essential to selecting the right finish for your stainless steel project.

Surface roughness is a measurement of the substrate’s texture and impacts the material’s durability and performance. For example, a texture created by brushing stainless steel increases the material’s corrosion and wear resistance compared to smooth finishes. Polished or mirrored stainless steel may be less resistant to corrosion and wear over time, but it provides a pleasing aesthetic appeal. Brushed stainless steel finishes offer both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Other benefits of various stainless steel finishes include:

Benefits of Different Finishes
Adding a layer of defense to extend the material's lifespan and preserve its integrity.
Benefits of Different Finishes
Dull or brushed finishes can conceal smudges or other surface imperfections
Benefits of Different Finishes
Smooth finishes make cleaning easier

How to Choose the Right Finish

Stainless steel finishes are important to the beauty and function of the fabricated product. With so many different finishing options, consider the following to help you choose the right finish for your project:
Sanitary Requirements for the Intended Application
Desired Aesthetic
Operating Conditions the Stainless Steel Will be Exposed to
Maintenance Requirements
How to Choose the Right Finish

Maintenance Tips for Stainless Steel Finishes

Stainless steel requires proper maintenance and cleaning to maintain its aesthetic appeal and functional properties over time. The first step for properly maintaining stainless steel is to select the appropriate cleaning procedure based on what needs to be removed, as the cleaning approach will vary whether it’s simple dirt removal or more complex removal of free iron contamination.

Using simple procedures and over-the-counter cleaners can keep stainless steel clean and looking like new. A damp towel or a water-based cleaner will remove loose dirt from stainless steel for a general clean. A professional-grade stainless steel cleaner can clean the surface with minimal effort while leaving behind an ultra-glossy look.

Additional tips for keeping stainless steel in optimal condition include:

Maintenance Tips for Stainless Steel Finishes
Maintenance Tips for Stainless Steel Finishes
  • Clean soiled surfaces immediately.
  • Test cleaning solutions in small areas before using them to clean the entire surface.
  • Avoid abrasives and bleach if possible.
  • Flush the area with clean warm water after cleaning with flammable solvents or those that leave behind a residue.
  • Suggest coating with a suitable ceramic coating.
  • Stainless Steel In A Variety Of Finishes by AAA Metals

    Understanding the different stainless steel finishes and their characteristics is essential to choosing the right finish for your project. The perfect finish can help enhance the longevity, durability, and aesthetics of your products. Partnering with a knowledgeable metalworking supplier can ensure you get the results you need.

    Since 1978, AAA Metals has been a leading distributor of stainless steel and other metals, with specialized knowledge in advanced finishing techniques. Our in-house stainless steel finishing capabilities use the latest polishing technology to provide many industries with quality materials. At AAA Metals, our team offers metal stock, cutting, shearing, and polishing services to meet customers’ unique needs. We offer stainless steel finishes 0-2 as stock metal without any polishing and provide polishing processes for finishes 3-8.

    Contact us to learn more about our variety of stainless steel finishes and value-added services, or request a quote to start work on your project.