Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Design student wants how to's for metal finishes

I am an interior design student doing a project on metal finishes. According to my book, there are five main types - polished, brushed, chemical etching/acid dippings, electrolysis, textured/buffed, and coating. I am trying to find out how each one of these is done. (for a polished finish is there a clear coat of something or is it actually just polished with a rag or something?) I also need to know the pros and cons of choosing one finish over another. thanks

Jenn Erwin
student - Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
2004

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2004

I'll run you through a basic explanation on all these, but be warned I am by no long stretch of the imagination an expert on any. You need to go to the library and see what they have on hand in regards to metal work for the actual process.

Polished
On average these are done by applying finer and finer grits of sandpaper and then moving onto buffing/emery powder.

Brushed
Meaning that the piece was sanded or wire brushed and then pronounced finished, this finish usually has a "grain" to it.

Chemical
Acids and such are used to eat away the oxides, depending on the material finished this could look very smooth or very gritty, bronze sculpture are a reasonable example.

Electroplating
Metals are transferred from one piece to another via an electrochemical process. Textured Stamped, rolled, beaten, bent or whatever.

Coating
Using another material as a protectant, this can be anything from a clear lacquer to hot dip galvanizing.

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina