What are the different types of stainless steel finish?
No. 2B – Matte finish
Matte finishes are not generally used for household appliances or other items such as jewellery due to their lack of shine. Unlike a mirror finish, a matte finish dulls all of the sheens and does not contain any additional polishing steps. A matte finish is more likely to be susceptible to corrosion and so is usually not chosen for decorative items.
Benefits of a matte finish
If you need a stainless steel finish that absorbs light rather than being reflective, a matte finish would be the best option for you. A matte finish or “2b finish” is one of the cheapest stainless steel finishes available making it another great choice if aesthetics aren’t high on your list of requirements. If the steel you are using does not need to be visually appealing, a matte finish could be a perfect choice and will not show marks such as fingerprints in the same way a mirror finish might.
The manufacturing process of 2B – Matte finish
Cold rolled, heat-treated, pickled and skin passed. Smooth surface.
Common uses for a matte finish on stainless steel
- Food processing
- Baking equipment
- Refrigeration
- Tanks and vessels
- Vacuum drum dryers
- Solar panels
- Pharmaceutical equipment
No. 4 – Brushed finish
The stainless steel brush finish, often referred to as the #4 finish is commonly seen on kitchen appliances and backsplashes. Often, people will be referring to a No 4 brushed finish when they say a “satin finish”.
A key thing to remember if you are planning to use the No. 4 Brushed finish, is that it might change between vendors and even within a single supplier’s batch. If you require the finish to be completely identical, you may want to consider a different finish or to ensure you buy all of the material you need at once.
Different manufacturing conditions, such as the wear of the abrasive belts used in various finishes, are the reason that differences occur and so when ordering the No. 4 Brushed finish, some variation should be assumed.
Benefits of a brushed finish
The steel keeps part of its sheen and accumulates very fine lines in the direction of the brushing, although losing its ability to reflect light. For this reason, it’s a particular style that’s frequently used for decorative goods.
The manufacturing process of No.4 – Brushed finish
Brushed or dull polished. Grade of brush, polishing belt or surface roughness can be specified. Unidirectional texture, leading to the stainless steel not being very reflective. Many satin finishes include a polishing step to give the stainless steel an elegant shine.
Common uses for a brushed finish on stainless steel
- Jewellery and watches
- Home appliances
- Air conditioners
- Water heaters
- Architecture
- Car parts
No.8 – Mirror finish
A mirror finish on stainless steel is a highly reflective, smooth, scratch-free finish obtained by polishing the metal. A mirror finish, sometimes known as a #8 finish, is created mechanically by utilising a set of abrasives and polishing compounds.
Benefits of a mirror finish
Using a mirror finish on stainless steel will enhance the appearance and also makes cleaning easier. You will usually find a mirror finish on aspects that need to remain aesthetically pleasing such as taps and architecture. One of the great features of a mirror finish is its resistance to abrasions, making it the perfect candidate for use in the home or for artwork.
The manufacturing process of No. 8 – Mirror finish
Bright polished. Process or surface roughness can be specified. Non-directional finish, reflective with a large amount of image clarity.
Common uses for a mirror finish on stainless steel
- Mirrors
- Ornamental trim
- Clean rooms
- Column covers
- Wall panels
- Reflectors
In commercial kitchens, the most common stainless steel finish is the No 4 brushed finish
Can stainless steel finish be restored?
Most stainless steel finishes can be restored, however, it is incredibly important to remember that the different finishes mean that the cleaning method may differ to ensure that the restoration can be successful and not damage the steel.
As polished stainless steel famously can show watermarks especially on saucepans and cutlery, and there are several at-home methods you can use to renew the shine on your items including vinegar, olive oil and specialised cleaners. Commercial steel cleaners can be purchased as well as methods such as toothpaste to buff out marks have been shown to remove light scratches.
Ensure that you find the grain when cleaning your own stainless steel products and be sure to follow it when cleaning. If you are planning to restore your stainless steel, be sure to have all of the specific required tools such as scrub pads and cloths. Commercial sinks with higher levels of chromium prevent the metal from being exposed to oxidation and therefore will not show on the sink as rust, another reason to be mindful of the grade you choose when you are making your purchase decisions.
Will brushed nickel match stainless steel?
People often decide to use brushed nickel instead of stainless steel due to its distinct colouring which often offsets bright whites or strong colour schemes. Usually, those who are looking to make more of an aesthetic statement will choose brushed nickel which has a much warmer brownish tone than stainless steel.
Brushed nickel is more difficult to match and coordinate with other appliances. By using stainless steel it is easier to create a seamless look between faucets and fixtures for kitchen appliances and other fixtures. For those who don’t have a requirement for their fixtures or appliances to blend in perfectly with the rest of their appliances, brushed nickel is a fantastic way to make these standout.
So, no. Brushed nickel will not match stainless steel but can look beautiful as an alternative.
What is the best stainless steel for sinks?
To understand which stainless steel is best for sinks, there is a grade rating and a gauge. The Gauge refers to the thickness of the stainless steel, as a general rule, the thicker the steel, the more durable the sink will be. The rule of thumb is that the higher the gauge, the thinner the metal, and this works the other way too.
For domestic use, if you are working with a budget then an 18 gauge may be the right choice. If you have more capital for your project, 20 gauge is a better selection. Almost anything above grade 18 will be of poorer quality, and it is not common to find anything less than 18 in a domestic sink.
There are many grades of stainless steel and these are calculated by the different compounds present. For example, a sink containing 30% chromium is going to be much more expensive than the 18% chromium which is considered to be the western standard. A cheaper sink with less chromium such as 10%, may seem like a bargain at first but will be considerably less durable and more likely to have dents, scratches and discolouration.
By choosing a higher quality sink at the start of your project, you are much less likely to create a false economy by having a sink that could potentially warp, change colour and be prone to corrosion. In commercial kitchens, expect to find sinks of a gauge of 16 and a grade of 304 which is largely corrosion resistant but will still need maintenance to avoid gradual damage.
Dolphin Fabrications
Dolphin Fabrications are specialists in creating and installing stainless steel sinks for commercial use. We manufacture all our sinks from 1.5mm thick 304-grade stainless steel, to create durable, efficient washbasins.
The framework of the sink is manufactured from a 30mm x 30mm box section (430 grade unless 304 grade is requested). All our sink units are then fully welded and each bowl is then welded into each top position afterwards to produce a seamless finish.
What stainless steel sink options are available?
We have a range of options when it comes to creating your ideal steel sink:
- Single & double bowls are available
- Waste & strainers can be fitted and supplied
- A range of taps are available and can be installed should they be required
- We can create sinks that are suitable for either pot wash or hand washing
What makes stainless steel the ideal material?
Due to the stainless steel structure, our sinks are able to withstand extreme temperatures both hot & cold. They will not rust, fade, stain or shatter.
Stainless Steel sinks prove to be extremely hygienic and is easily cleaned.
Get in touch for a free quotation & advice on stainless steel sinks
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