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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Suggested metal and reflective finish for public outdoor sculpture

I am considering two stainless steel sheets 1/4" thick X 72" wide X 10 feet long to have mirror reflective qualities. How can I achieve a chrome-ish colored effect without plating? I am capable of buffing, is there any suggestion toward this process? These two sheets will be creased 90 degrees on both sides which will have to be considered if plating is suggested. Worried about outdoor elements marring reflective finish over time (rain spots). Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Also suggestion on purchasing and bending. Thanks for your time.

C. Clark
Artist - Grenada, MS, USA
November 29, 2009

You *could* buff ordinary mill finished stainless to mirror bright, but it would be an absolutely enormous job. Much better to start with mirror bright stainless sheet which is readily available, and is supplied with a protective film to be peeled off after fabricating.

The stainless should remain mirror bright without any other finishing.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
December 3, 2009

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