Metal Finishes and Coatings for Steel

Finishes and Coating Products

Steel is one of the most commonly used materials in our lives today—when you look around, there a millions of things, both large and small, that we use steel for on a daily basis, including our roads, appliances, vehicles, architecture, and more. One of the reasons we use steel for these things is because it is so versatile and affordable. Another reason is the ability to apply a wide variety of finishes and coating products to metal that can make it look any way we want.

What is Metal Finishing?

Metal finish is a treatment for the exterior of metal surfaces, where a thin layer is added to the outside for a variety of purposes, including the desire to increase the metal’s durability, add a decorative touch, enhance conductivity in electrical applications, increase resistance to chemicals, electrical charges, and tarnishes, and the potential for vulcanization.

Some Common Metal Finishes

There are several different options for metal finishes and metal finishing products at Wasatch Steel, and the one you ultimately choose will depend on what you plan to use your metal for.

 

 

Metal plating is a process where machines coat the surface with a thin layer of additional metal, usually nickel or PTFE, using a chemical bath. This is a method that is generally used in cases where you want to improve durability of your product, or you want to enhance the metal’s resistance to corrosion. It also adds surface friction and can give the exterior a nice appearance, plus it’s fast and efficient.

If you want to remove surface imperfections, one of the best finishes and coating products is to go with brushed metal. Using a metal finishing machine, you can remove dings and scratches in the metal by creating a uniform surface that has a grainy texture. You can also use this process to round out the edges of the metal.

For non-textured finishes that require a smooth surface (without imperfections), you can go with buff polishing. Wasatch Steel has machines that use a cloth wheel to buff out all the imperfections without leaving any additional texture, so the end result is a shiny metal finish that is smooth and uniform. If your metal is intricately designed, or particularly fragile, it may not be a good fit for buff polishing.

Additional processes that can be used to grind down rough edges or smooth out the surface of metal include metal grinding, metal vibratory finishing, and sandblasting. Talk to the experts at Wasatch Steel about whether or not this is a good option for your application.

Powder coating is another popular metal finish, because it can give steel the decorative appearance of paint, but it is much more durable. During the process, dry plastic powder is melted onto the metal, leaving behind a coating that can be glossy, matte, or textured. If you prefer a matte black finish, you could also opt for hot blackening, which applies a layer of black oxide and is highly resistant to abrasion. This option is often used for tools, auto parts, and weapons.

The finish you choose ultimately comes down to how quickly you need the technique to be completed, your budget, how hard your metal is, and what you want to use the finished product for. Come in today to see how the different finishes and coating products can work for you.