Brushing, Graining & Satin Finishes on Metal

Mr. Liu· Engineering DirectorJuly 9, 2026

A brushed (grained / satin) finish is a uniform, directional texture of fine parallel lines produced by dragging an abrasive belt or pad across the metal. It's decorative, hides minor scratches and fingerprints, and is common on stainless steel and aluminum — the familiar 'No. 4' finish on appliances and trim.

See our parts finishing service and the surface roughness (Ra) chart.

Key takeaways

Brushing creates a directional satin texture — fine parallel lines — using abrasive belts/pads (typically 120–320 grit).
Typical finish is about Ra 0.4–1.6 µm; the grit sets how fine the grain looks.
It's decorative and practical — hides machining marks, minor scratches and fingerprints better than a bright polish.
The No. 4 finish is the standard brushed stainless finish (appliances, kitchens, trim).
Unlike bead blasting, the texture is directional — orientation matters on assemblies. Request a quote.

What is a brushed / satin finish?

A brushed finish is made by moving an abrasive belt, wheel or non-woven pad across the surface in one direction, leaving a consistent pattern of fine parallel lines (the 'grain'). The result is a soft satin sheen — less reflective than a polish, more refined than a blast. Because the scratches are uniform and directional, they read as an intentional texture and hide minor surface defects.

brushed / satin metal finish

Grit, grain and Ra

Finish	Typical grit	Look	Ra
Coarse grain	~120 grit	Visible lines, matte	~1.2–1.6 µm
Standard satin (No. 4)	~150–180 grit	Uniform fine grain	~0.6–1.0 µm
Fine satin	~240–320 grit	Soft, near-smooth sheen	~0.4–0.6 µm

The No. 4 finish

On stainless steel, the No. 4 finish is the standard brushed/satin finish — a uniform, directional grain you see on kitchen appliances, elevators, backsplashes and architectural trim. It balances appearance, cleanability and cost, which is why it's the default decorative finish for stainless.

Brushing vs bead blasting

Both give a non-glossy finish, but they differ in character. Bead blasting is a uniform, non-directional matte from all-angle impacts; brushing is a directional grain from one-way abrasion. Choose brushing for a refined, linear decorative look (and where you can control grain direction); choose bead blasting for an even matte that doesn't depend on orientation.

Applications

Consumer products, appliances and electronics enclosures
Architectural and decorative stainless and aluminum
Any part where a refined, scratch-hiding satin look is wanted

Frequently asked questions

What is a brushed metal finish?

A brushed (satin) finish is a uniform, directional texture of fine parallel lines made by dragging an abrasive belt or pad across the metal. It gives a soft satin sheen and hides minor scratches and fingerprints.

What is a No. 4 finish?

No. 4 is the standard brushed/satin finish on stainless steel — a uniform directional grain (typically ~150–180 grit) used on appliances, kitchens and architectural trim.

What is the difference between brushing and bead blasting?

Brushing leaves a directional grain (parallel lines); bead blasting leaves a non-directional matte from all-angle impacts. Brushing is more refined and linear; blasting is uniform regardless of orientation.

What Ra does a brushed finish have?

Typically about Ra 0.4–1.6 µm depending on grit — finer grit (240–320) gives a smoother, softer satin; coarse grit (120) gives a more visible grain.

Does grain direction matter?

Yes. Because the texture is directional, the grain should run consistently across a part and align on assemblies for a clean look — tell us the preferred direction on your drawing.

Sources & further reading: British Stainless Steel Association — finishes · Products Finishing.

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