Stainless Steel Finishes: 2B, BA, No.4, Hairline and Mirror
Stainless steel sheet finishes explained: 2B, BA, No.1, No.4 brushed, hairline and No.8 mirror — appearance, roughness, corrosion performance, cost and uses.
Saudi Steel Work Editorial Team · · 3 min read
Short answer: 2B is a smooth, moderately reflective cold-rolled finish and the most common general-purpose sheet finish. BA (bright annealed) is more reflective. No.4 is a brushed finish with directional lines, hairline is a finer, longer-grain brushed look, and No.8 is a mirror polish. Smoother finishes resist staining and are easier to clean.
The finish on stainless steel affects appearance, cleanability and corrosion behaviour. Standard designations (ASTM A480 and EN 10088-2) help you specify it precisely.
Common finishes
| Finish | Description | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 | Hot rolled, annealed, pickled; dull, rough | Heavy plate, industrial tanks |
| 2D | Cold rolled, dull | Deep drawing parts |
| 2B | Cold rolled, smooth, slightly reflective | General purpose, process equipment |
| BA | Bright annealed, highly reflective | Appliances, decorative trim |
| No.4 | Brushed, short directional grain | Kitchens, lifts, architectural panels |
| Hairline (HL) | Long continuous brushed lines | Lift doors, premium interiors |
| No.8 | Mirror polished | Signage, decorative features |
Corrosion and cleanability
Rougher finishes and deep polishing grooves hold chlorides and dirt, which can cause tea staining near the coast. For exterior use in Jeddah, Dammam or Jubail:
- Prefer smoother finishes (fine brushed or polished)
- Use 316 rather than 304 (304 vs 316)
- Brush lines vertically so rain and washing flow along them
- Plan regular cleaning
Protecting the finish
- Order with protective PVC film
- Fabricate with stainless-only tools and abrasives
- Avoid carbon steel contamination (why stainless rusts)
How to specify
State grade, finish, thickness, sheet size and whether film is required, for example: "316L, No.4, 1.5 mm, 1219 × 2438 mm, PVC film one side".
See our stainless steel range.