Brushed finish is achieved by which process?

• A. Polished with a protective coating
• B. Brushed finish achieved by scratching bare metal with an abrasive material and then finishing to a smooth high gloss
• C. Anodizing
• D. Painting

Answer: (B)

A brushed finish is obtained through mechanical abrasion of bare metal to create fine, directional scratches, which give that characteristic striped texture. The process uses an abrasive material on the metal surface, removing a thin layer and leaving uniform scratch lines. After brushing, a finishing step smooths or adjusts the surface to achieve the desired sheen, which can range from a satin look to a higher gloss depending on the final polishing steps. This approach is different from applying a coating or pigment, such as painting or anodizing, and from simply polishing a smooth surface, because the hallmark of brushing is the deliberate, directional texture produced by abrasion.