Grinding, polishing, buffing, satin finishing, media blasting, welding, and fabrication of many different metals. These metals include: aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, and brass.

Types of finishes:

#3 Finish:

Also known as grinding, roughing, or rough grinding. These finishes are course in nature and usually are a preliminary finish applied before manufacturing. An example of this would be grinding gates off castings, deburring, or removing excess weld material. It is course in appearance and is accomplished by using a 36-100 grit abrasive. When the finish is specified as a #3, the material is polished to a uniform 60-80 grit.

#4 Architectural Finish:

Also known as brushed, directional, or satin finish. A #4 architectural finish is characterized by fine polishing grit lines that are uniform and directional in appearance. It is produced by polishing the metal with a 120-180 grit belt or wheel finish and then softened with an 80-120 grit greaseless compound, or a medium non-woven abrasive belt or pad.

#4 Dairy or Sanitary Finish:

This finish is commonly used for the medical and food industry, and almost exclusively used on stainless steel. This finish is much finer than a #4 architectural finish. Great care should be taken in removing any surface defects in the metal, such as pits, that could allow unwanted bacteria to grow. A #4 Dairy or Sanitary Finish is produced by polishing 180-240 grit belt or wheel, softened with a 120-240 grit greaseless compound, or fine non-woven abrasive bely or pad.

#6 Finish:

Also known as a fine satin finish. This finish is achieved by polishing with a 220-230 greaseless compound, or very fine non-woven abrasive belt or pad. Polish lines should be soft and less reflective than #4 architectural finish.

#7 Finish:

A #7 finish is achieved by polishing with a 280-320 grit belt or wheel, and sisal buffing with a cut and color compound. This is a semi-bright finish that will still have some polishing lines, however, they will be very dull. Carbon steel, and iron are commonly polished to a #7 finish before chrome plating occurs. A #7 finish can be brightened by color buffing with a coloring compound, and a cotton buff. This is an excellent way to keep polishing costs down when a part needs to be shiny, but not flawless.

#8 Finish:

Also known as a mirror finish, this finish is achieved by using at least a 320 grit belt or wheel finish. Extra care should be taken in making sure all surface defects are removed. The part is sisal buffed, and then color buffed to achieve a mirror finish. The quality of the finish depends greatly on the quality of the metal being polished. Unfortunately, some alloys of steel and aluminum cannot be brought to a mirror finish. Castings that have slag or pits will be extremely difficult, if not impossible to polish to a #8 finish.