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Stainless Steel Finishes Guide

There are a variety of finishes available on stainless steel sheet, and we stock three of the most popular ones here at Cut2Size Metals.

Stacked stainless steel sheets featuring #4 brushed, #8 mirror, and 2B finishes by Cut2Size Metals.
  • Top to bottom: #8 Polish, #4 Finish, 2B Mill Finish
Stainless steel sheet in #8 mirror finish, reflecting a wooden bat, crafted by Cut2Size Metals.

#8 Mirror Finish

The #8 Mirror finish is a polished, highly reflective finish with the grain marks polished out. It is closest to the top in the picture above. As you can see from the reflection of our Cut2Size Metals baseball bat in the photo, the polishing results in a true mirror-like finish.

Stainless Steel Sheet alloys available with the #8 Mirror finish: 304

Stainless steel sheet with a #4 Polish finish, featuring a uniform 150-180 grit grain direction.

#4 Polish

The #4 Polish finish has a 150-180 grit grain in one direction. This finish is often used when the material is subject to rough handling, such as restaurant equipment. It is in the middle in the picture above. When we cut #4 polished stainless for you, the grain will run whichever way allows us to utilize the material best. If you need a certain grain direction on your pieces, please call and let us know.

Stainless Steel Sheet alloys available with the #4 Polish finish: 304

Cut2Size Metals' stainless steel sheet in 2B finish, offering a mill finish, industrial look.

2B Finish

The 2B finish is a bright, cold-rolled industrial finish with no grain pattern. This is the standard industrial finish you'll find on stainless steel sheet. It is closest to the bottom in the picture above. It is bright, but not polished like the other finishes.

Stainless Steel Sheet alloys available with the #2B finish: 304, 316, 430

Welder in protective gear working on a metal hopper, creating bright sparks from the welding torch.

A leader in custom metal fabrication, since 1946

Need Assistance With Your Project? Cut2Size Metals is powered by Evansville Sheet Metal Works (ESMW), a leader in custom metal fabrication.


Whether you are looking for cutting for large or small production runs, Cut2Size Metals has you covered. We are open to individuals and businesses across the US. We hold our products and our employees to the highest standards because we know that you do too.

ESMW metalworker welding a custom cone-shaped piece on a workbench, wearing a helmet and gloves.

Got a project?

Custom Fabrication has been the soul of our business for almost 80 years. When you need your material laser-cut, formed, welded, or fabricated into a complete project, our craftsmanship and quality are second to none. Our expert team is ready to assist you in finding the right materials and alloys, and to guide you through the fabrication process. Are you ready to make something awesome together?