Mirror Finishes
We offer the mirror finishes listed below across all metal types. To speak with the Polished Metals team about your project, request a quote.
#8 Mirror Finish
About 8 Mirror Finish
The #8 Mirror Finish is considered the industry standard for a highly reflective, mirror appearance. This is achieved by directionally buffing with abrasive compounds in several stages, followed by buffing with a rouge compound. The surface produced is bright and highly reflective and is virtually free of grit lines, though at certain angles some are still visible. This particular finish is often applied to a variety of metal types for use in elevators and escalators.
A related finish, the #8 Super Mirror Finish, is a highly specialized finish produced by circular oscillating buffing, initially with abrasive compounds, followed by a rouge-like compound. The surface is completely free of grit lines, achieving the perfect mirror finish. This particular finish is most often applied to stainless steel for use in architecture and design projects.
Common Metals Using This Finish
Nearly any metal may be polished to a mirror finish, but some are more commonly used than others. Mirror finish aluminum and stainless steel tend to be the most popular for use across various industries. However, red metals such as brass and bronze also take well to this finish and make for a unique appearance, providing strong accent colors or ornamentation.
#8 Super Mirror Finish (Non-Directional Mirror Finish)
The #8 Super Mirror Finish is a highly specialized finish produced by circular oscillating buffing, initially with abrasive compounds, followed by a rouge-like compound. The surface is completely free of grit lines, achieving the perfect mirror finish. This particular finish is most often applied to stainless steel for use in architecture and design projects.
#7 Prebuff Finish
A highly reflective finish produced by buffing a surface that has first been finely ground, but grit lines are not removed through the final buffing process. This particular finish is most often applied to 304 Stainless Steel for use across a wide range of industries.
Bright Annealed Finish
What Is a Bright Annealed Finish?
Annealing is a form of heat treatment used to alter the properties of metals in order to make them more workable and/or change their appearance. In the case of this particular finish, the annealing process is used to create a surface that reflects light but does not quite reach the state of a “mirrored” appearance. However, due to the high reflectivity, the result is referred to as a “bright” annealed finish.
Available Metals
While this finish is most often applied to stainless steel products, the bright annealed finish may also be used across a wide range of metals such as aluminum, brass, commercial bronze, and Muntz metal. At Polished Metals, our professional finishing team can apply this finish to various products including sheets, plates, and multiple types of bars.
Learn more about our available products below or reach out to our team with questions or for custom finishing options.
#2B/Mill Finish
What Is 2B Mill Finish?
A #2B finish, also commonly referred to as a “mill finish,” describes the unpolished cold rolled material as it is obtained from the producing mill. It may sometimes exhibit a slight luster from the rolling process, but no reflectivity. This particular finish is most often used where stainless steel is specified but the finish (appearance) is unimportant. It is a low-maintenance finish that will last for many years with little required maintenance.
Available Products
Our mill finishing capabilities extend to many of our most popular product offerings. We commonly fulfill orders for 2B mill finish on sheet metal, plates, and various types of bars, including flat bars and round.
2B mill finish is most popular for stainless steel, most often in cases where stainless steel is required for the project but the ultimate appearance is less important. This finish may also be used on other popular metals such as aluminum, brass, Muntz, and commercial bronze.
Available Metals and Products.
Metal TypesSelect a Metal type to explore finishes and products.
We maintain a large inventory of Stainless Steel, Muntz Naval Brass / Architectural Bronze, Aluminum, Commercial Bronze, Brass, and Copper. Each metal type is available in any finish.
Click each metal type to learn more.
Select a Metal type to explore finishes and products.
We maintain a large inventory of Stainless Steel, Muntz Naval Brass / Architectural Bronze, Aluminum, Commercial Bronze, Brass, and Copper. Each metal type is available in any finish.
Click each metal type to learn more.
ProductsSelect a Product to explore metal types and finishes.
This is a list of the typical products that we can offer, each in any finish. We can offer you a finished product, or perform labor only and polish your raw materials.
If you don’t see your item or have any questions, please contact one of our experts and we will work with you to get the products you need for your project.
Select a Product to explore metal types and finishes.
This is a list of the typical products that we can offer, each in any finish. We can offer you a finished product, or perform labor only and polish your raw materials.
If you don’t see your item or have any questions, please contact one of our experts and we will work with you to get the products you need for your project.
