Alternatives for stainless finishing

We manufacture process equip. for the chem. and food industries. Finishing standards for both are obviously very different. Chem. industry wants a uniform stainless metal finish but we can't charge what a food sanitary job would get with polishing. Any suggestions? What about bead blast and/or painting exterior stainless instead of mechanical buffing? Is exterior painting of stainless an acceptable industry alternative? What preparation for painting stainless is required? This would be easiest for us as we have a full paint shop for our other work in carbon steel.

Thanks,