Finishes on metal are simply the way how metal is treated and its surface is covered. Understanding how each finish is applied and their features will help you achieve the look you want. This also means you can choose the best one for your initial budget and timeline. In this blog, we’ll discover more than 10 different types of metal finishes as well as their pros and cons. Let’s get started and find what suits you best with us! 

Metal Grinding

If you're working with hard metals, metal grinding is one of the most effective finishing techniques. To achieve a smooth surface and unique effects, you'll need to abrade and apply friction to the metal to remove metal ions. Common tools for grinding include grindstones, bench grinders, handheld machines, and wheel grinders, with the choice depending on the specific requirements.

However, if a flawless metal surface is your goal, metal grinding may not be the best choice. While this technique brings a smooth effect, metal grinding can still leave imperfections like scratches or chatter marks.

Grinded finish is the perfect choice for hard metals

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Electroplating

Electroplating, also known as e-coating, can be applied to nearly all metal types. Metals with e-coatings are more resistant to corrosion, durable, and glossy. Another great thing about electroplating, it lets you change the metal's surface color with a wide range of options. To apply the resin film, the metal parts are submerged in a bath filled with water-based paint particles. Then, voltages from 25 volts up to 400 volts (this depends on how thick you want the film to be) will be applied. With e-coatings, you can create a smooth finish without spraying on the metal surface.

Steel, aluminum, zinc, cast iron, brass, and copper are all good options for e-coatings. However, there are some disadvantages about electroplating to consider:

• High initial equipment cost
• Limited coating thickness
• Time-consuming and complicated curing process

Metals with e-coatings are more resistant to corrosion and durable

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Passivation

If you are looking for types of metal finishes for furniture that can change the look of the surface, passivation may not be a suitable choice. As its name implies, passivation isn’t really considered a coating. To put it in a nutshell, passivation is often used to eliminate the microscopic specs of free iron from the metal surface. This will help your furniture be more durable and resistant to rust compared to untreated metal parts.

To do this, you need to wash, rinse, and then soak the desired metal parts under controlled conditions in nitric or citric acid. Aluminum, ferrous metals, silicon, nickel, and stainless steel are recommended for this technique. However, if you're looking to change the color of your furniture surface, the following option may be more suitable.

Passivation removes free iron and makes metal more durable

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Phosphating

Phosphatization is all about adding thin crystalline layers of coating composed of iron, zinc or manganese phosphates. You can easily see metal in gray or black with phosphoric acid coating in the automotive industry. This finish will also protect your metal surface against corrosion, improve lubrication in cold and hot forging, and work as a foundation for subsequent coatings.

However, the phosphate coating process may be particularly environmentally unfriendly and cause discoloration in the coating process.

Metals come with phosphate coating are usually black or gray

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Painting

The traditional way of adding liquid to metal is painting
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Painting is the traditional way of applying liquid to metal by brushing, spraying, or dipping. The paint varies from solvent based to solid-based paints. After finishing painting, you can naturally air-dry the metal surface or place it in an oven with suitable temperature.

Types of paint finishes for metal have many advantages, such as:

• Diverse colors and high personalization.
• Often has a low initial cost.
• There is no need for an oven to dry.
• Easy to achieve a high-gloss finish.

Besides, it also has disadvantages, such as:

• It easily peels off over time and needs to be touched up.
• The paint layer is highly flammable and can cause damage and danger.
• Harmful gasses, such as VOCs from traditional wet paint, especially in closed spaces.

E-Coating

Electroplating, also called electrodeposition or e-coat, is a metal finishing process by coating a metal or alloy on top of another metal object, called a substrate. The base material is usually lighter such as copper or nickel. To optimize strength and conductivity, manufacturers often add multiple layers of metal. Brass, gold, iron, silver, titanium, or zinc can also be used in this process.

Using this method can strengthen a metal against rust and corrosion. Therefore, it’s usually used as metal finishes of pots, pans, sink taps, tin cans, coins, jewelry or some car parts. However, e-coats are typically limited to a basic color palette, such as black, gray, or white. They are also vulnerable to UV rays when exposed to direct sunlight and require a special topcoat to maintain the finish's stability.

Polishing

Metal polishing includes mechanical polishing, chemical polishing, and electropolishing
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Polishing is one of the most popular types of metal finishing because it is able to remove any surface imperfections and relatively cost effective. You can see polishing in familiar items such as jewelry, watches, and eyeglasses. Metal polishing includes 3 main types:

• Mechanical polishing: Involves using polishing wheels, belts, or pads to smooth the surface.
• Chemical polishing: Involves immersing the metal in a chemical solution that dissolves the top layer, leaving a smooth and even finish.
• Electropolishing: Means using an electric current and a chemical bath to remove tiny surface imperfections, resulting in a high quality finish.

This method is able to create a smooth surface, as well as enhance metal resistance and electrical conductivity in some cases. With metal polishing, it is also easy for you to clean and prevents dirt build-up.

Some disadvantages of polishing are:

• Take a lot of time depending on size and shape
• May not be suitable for thin metal products
• Limited abrasion resistance
• Need skilled workers, otherwise, it is easy to damage or deform the product

Anodizing

Anodizing has outstanding anti-rust and anti-corrosion properties
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Anodizing is an electrochemical procedure. In the first stage, metal is soaked into chromic acid electrolyte. Then, an electric current will be passed through it to oxidize the outer layer of a metal. This method is usually used for aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and zinc parts.

This method has outstanding anti-rust and anti-corrosion properties, improving hardness and scratches significantly. However, it is not suitable for all metals, can increase size due to acid expansion, and requires specialized equipment and expertise to perform safely.

Powder Coating

Powder coating is the most popular applied in the furniture field

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Powder coating is another popular method for finishes on metal. It involves applying a dry powder to the metal surface. This powder includes a mix of pigments, treatment agents, leveling agents, and other additives.

This process begins with applying the powder to the metal. Then, the metal is cured with UV ray or heat to ensure an even coating. Finally, the coated metal is hardened in an oven to create a durable and protective layer.

This coating method has several advantages. For example, it is cleaner, faster, more durable, and aesthetically pleasing. It’s also economical and environmentally friendly. Besides, it is resistant to chemicals, moisture, UV light, and harsh weather conditions. Therefore, powder coating is perfect for metal finishes of outdoor products like metal table legs and chair legs.

However, this method still has some drawbacks:

• It is expensive because it requires specialized equipment such as spray guns, booths, and curing ovens. Besides, it must be processed in a carefully controlled environment.
• The color range is limited because it cannot mix colors like liquid paint. It is also difficult to adjust and remove if the wrong color is sprayed.

Galvanizing

Galvanizing is submerging metals in molten zinc heated to 460-480 °C to form a thick protective layer
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Galvanizing involves dipping metals into molten zinc heated to 860-900°F (460-480°C) to create a thick protective layer. This zinc coating acts as a barrier, preventing the metal from corrosive chemicals and helping to preserve the underlying material.

Galvanizing metal creates a durable, high-quality protective layer that resists corrosion and rust. Therefore, it is perfect for manufacturing equipment, such as those used in commercial, agricultural, oil and gas, and consumer goods industries.

However, galvanizing is relatively expensive and comes in only one color. It also becomes brittle over time due to high temperatures or humidity, causing it to lose its protective properties.

Abrasive Blasting

Abrasive blasting involves using high-pressure air to propel a stream of abrasive material onto the metal’s surface. Some common abrasive materials include corn cobs, steel shot, aluminum oxide, sand, plastic grit, silicon carbide, carbon grit, and glass beads. The surface will differ according to the substance used; glass beads give the object a more satin appearance, while aluminum oxide leaves a matte surface.

Abrasive blasting helps:

• Eliminate surface impurities
• Result in a tidy and seamless finish
• Modify the form or expand the surface area
• Treat the surface in preparation for plating, painting, or coating

However, sandblasting creates a lot of dust and noise, affecting health. It also requires considerable expertise and may not be suitable for all metals.

Look and Feel of Each Finish in Interior Design

Brushed

Brushed finishes offer a modern, high-end feel for metal furniture

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Brushed metal offers a unidirectional satin finish, creating a luxurious and modern feel to your interior. Its finishes often feature subtle brushstrokes, which is commonly found on stainless steel furniture. This texture helps to cover fingerprints and other marks. Brushed finishes are often seen in modern and industrial spaces because it is not too ornate or gaudy.

Satin

A satin finish is quite similar to a brushed finish. However, it has no visible grooves or brushstrokes. Therefore, a satin finish provides a smooth surface. It creates a rich and warm quality for your metal products. This finish type also does not leave fingerprints, smudges, and is easy to clean.

Matte

Matte finishes have a soft appearance which is non refective. You can choose any color, from jet black to bronze. If you want to minimize stains and fingerprints on metal furniture, matte finish is a perfect choice.

Powder Coating

Powder coated finishes allow you to coat your metal in almost every color you like
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Powder coated metal finishes are mainly used for aluminum and finishes for steel furniture. For example, they can be found on bed frames, shelving units, library walls, metal chairs, metal table legs, etc. Powder coated furniture legs are also increasingly popular because of their flexibility to be customized or designed to suit any home style.

Hammered

A hammered metal finish is usually used for a rustic farmhouse or industrial style space. You can imagine this finish as it sounds, as if someone took a hammer and lightly dented the metal’s surface. In particular, the effect of a hammered metal finish is often handmade.

Polished

Polished finish is one of the most popular types of metal finishes that can be found throughout the market. With a reflective surface, it makes the product look silky and smooth. It is able to remove any surface imperfections and provide a look that's effortless and perfect. This metal finish can match well in traditional and modern style interior designs.

We hope this article gives you a comprehensive understanding of the various types of metal finishes, as well as their pros and cons. If you love powder coated metal table legs, Flowyline is a worthy destination with hundreds of designs awaiting you to discover! Don't hesitate to contact us via email at customerservice@flowyline.com or call directly at 1 (323) 990-2487 to get your questions answered and custom support as desired.