Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Stainless steel look for structural steel?
could anyone tell be how to get a stainless steel finish (either polished or brushed) onto structural steel? I have thought about chrome plating, but I'm not too sure how the plating will work if the steel deflects slightly. additionally, has anyone viewed a web page that describes the many metal finishes available in picture form? thank you to anyone that can help.
thomas hanleychicago, Illinois, USA
1999
1999
There are powder coatings today that might look enough like stainless steel to satisfy your need. Chrome plating looks far brighter, more specular, and more 'bright blue' than stainless steel. If anyone has any photos they can e-mail us, we'd be happy to put them on line. 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
To achieve this surface finish on mechanical tubing it must be applied by mechanical means. Although hard chrome would preserve the finish and retard rust the cost makes this process prohibitive. Regards.
Stephen C. Ward- Canada
1999
Have you considered arc spraying? Not only can you make it look like stainless steel but actually spray stainless steel on top of that material. Regards,
andrew kaw- Philippines
2000
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