As machined
- Materials
- Metals, plastics
- Appearance
- Visible light machining marks
- Tolerance note
- Tolerances are not affected
- Best for
- Functional prototypes, internal parts, and cost-sensitive components
Comparison table
Choose finishes with tolerance and cosmetic requirements in view.
Define cosmetic faces, masked areas, coating thickness, color targets, and inspection expectations before production.
FinishMaterialsAppearanceColorsTolerance noteBest for
As machined
Metals, plastics
Visible light machining marks
Natural material color
Tolerances are not affected
Functional prototypes, internal parts, and cost-sensitive components
Polishing
Metals
Machining marks removed on primary surfaces
Natural metallic appearance
Critical dimensions should be reviewed before polishing
Cosmetic metal surfaces, sealing faces, and smooth-touch parts
Bead blasting
Metals
Uniform matte texture
Natural material color
Usually minimal impact except on specific precision features
Non-reflective surfaces and cosmetic aluminum parts
Brushing
Metals
Directional satin grain
Natural material color
Review cosmetic and tolerance-critical faces before brushing
Front panels, visible covers, and stainless steel parts
Anodizing Type II
Aluminum
Decorative or functional anodized surface
Black, clear, red, blue, gold, orange
Dimensions should account for anodized coating thickness
Aluminum housings, heat sinks, brackets, and cosmetic parts
Anodizing Type III
Aluminum
Harder wear-resistant anodized coating
Black, natural
Coating thickness must be considered on precision features
Wear-resistant aluminum components and demanding functional surfaces
Black oxide
Steel, stainless steel, copper alloys
Black conversion coating
Black
Minimal dimensional impact
Steel fixtures, tooling parts, and low-reflective components
Electroless nickel plating
Mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel
Semi-bright metallic coating
Metallic
Coating thickness should be controlled for precision dimensions
Wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and uniform coating needs
Powder coating
Metals
Durable coated surface
Black, white, RAL/Pantone
Masking and coating buildup should be defined before production
Machine covers, brackets, panels, and durable color finishes
Polishing
- Materials
- Metals
- Appearance
- Machining marks removed on primary surfaces
- Tolerance note
- Critical dimensions should be reviewed before polishing
- Best for
- Cosmetic metal surfaces, sealing faces, and smooth-touch parts
Bead blasting
- Materials
- Metals
- Appearance
- Uniform matte texture
- Tolerance note
- Usually minimal impact except on specific precision features
- Best for
- Non-reflective surfaces and cosmetic aluminum parts
Brushing
- Materials
- Metals
- Appearance
- Directional satin grain
- Tolerance note
- Review cosmetic and tolerance-critical faces before brushing
- Best for
- Front panels, visible covers, and stainless steel parts
Anodizing Type II
- Materials
- Aluminum
- Appearance
- Decorative or functional anodized surface
- Tolerance note
- Dimensions should account for anodized coating thickness
- Best for
- Aluminum housings, heat sinks, brackets, and cosmetic parts
Anodizing Type III
- Materials
- Aluminum
- Appearance
- Harder wear-resistant anodized coating
- Tolerance note
- Coating thickness must be considered on precision features
- Best for
- Wear-resistant aluminum components and demanding functional surfaces
Black oxide
- Materials
- Steel, stainless steel, copper alloys
- Appearance
- Black conversion coating
- Tolerance note
- Minimal dimensional impact
- Best for
- Steel fixtures, tooling parts, and low-reflective components
Electroless nickel plating
- Materials
- Mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel
- Appearance
- Semi-bright metallic coating
- Tolerance note
- Coating thickness should be controlled for precision dimensions
- Best for
- Wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and uniform coating needs
Powder coating
- Materials
- Metals
- Appearance
- Durable coated surface
- Tolerance note
- Masking and coating buildup should be defined before production
- Best for
- Machine covers, brackets, panels, and durable color finishes