Polished vs Brushed Metal: Finish Comparison
Cosmetic finishing that changes how the part reads rather than how it performs — cheap to add, and easy to over-specify.
Request a quoteWhat actually happens to the part
A polishing or brushing operation works progressively on the surface with abrasives, from coarse to fine, until the required Ra and appearance are reached.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Polished (mirror) | Ra 0.05–0.2 µm |
| Brushed / satin | Ra 0.4–0.8 µm, directional |
| Fine bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm, isotropic |
| Deburr | Edge break only, no surface change |
| Surface roughness | Ra 0.05–0.8 µm depending on level |
| Typical lead time added | Add 1–3 working days |
What this finish does to your tolerances
This is where most prototype surprises come from. A finish is not decoration — it moves dimensions, and the drawing has to account for it.
Polishing removes a few micrometres of material. On a visible cosmetic face that is negligible, but it is not negligible on a tight fit or a sealing surface.
Suitable for
- Aluminium
- Stainless steel
- Brass
- Copper
- Titanium (tumbled)
Not suitable for
- High-volume or low-cost work — hand polishing is expensive per part
- Parts with a surface finish requirement from the drawing that we need to read first
What engineers ask about Polished vs Brushed Metal: Finish Comparison
Do you polish every part?
No. Polishing is a per-part cost with no engineering benefit on a functional prototype. It earns its place on a cosmetic part that a customer will hold or photograph, not on a fixture.
Can a polished part still be anodised?
Yes, but the polish will show through the anodic layer more than a blasted surface would. For a bright anodised part the normal route is blast then anodise.