Mirror Polishing and Surface Finishing
A mirror surface hides nothing. Every flat spot on a weld, every ripple in the forming and every scratch from a late drilling operation is amplified by the reflection. That is why the finish is really decided upstream, in how the seam is ground and when the fixings go on.
Stage by Stage
- Forming controlRipples introduced during pressing cannot be polished out later. Hemispheres are pressed on matched tooling and checked for diameter and wall before anything is welded.
- Seam grindingA weld left proud or hollow reads as a line across the reflection from metres away. Seams are ground and blended progressively until the joint disappears when the surface is viewed in reflected light.
- Fixings firstDrilling or welding after polishing destroys the surface around the fixing. Holes, threads, pedestals and plates are all completed before the piece enters the polishing shop.
- Progressive polishingJumping grits leaves a surface that looks bright but shows swirl under direct sun. The surface is worked through progressive grits so the specular reflection is even across the whole form.
- Alternative finishesA mirror surface within reach shows every fingerprint, which is wrong for some interiors. Brushed and matt finishes are available on the same forms where handling is a factor.
- Batch controlPieces polished weeks apart do not match under the same light. Whole runs and room sets go through the polishing shop together.
- ProtectionThe surface is most vulnerable between the polishing shop and the finished installation. Protective film is applied straight after finishing and stays on through packing, freight and installation.
What This Changes for You
- Seams that do not read in the reflection
- No fixing scars on the visible face
- Even specular finish across curved and flat surfaces
- Brushed and matt options where fingerprints matter
- Matched finish across a whole run or room set
- Protective film retained until the piece is placed
Products This Applies To
Interior Decoration SculptureModern Concave Mirror Stainless Steel Sculpture
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Stainless Steel Spheres1100mm Mirror Polished Large Stainless Steel Hollow Sphere
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Stainless Steel SpheresStainless Steel Gazing Ball
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VFX HDRI SpheresVFX HDRI Reference Ball Set
View DetailsMirror Polishing Questions
Can you polish out a scratch after installation?
Not properly, and not on site. That is why every hole and fixing is made before the piece is polished.
Does a mirror finish scratch easily?
It shows marks more than a brushed finish. Where the piece is within reach, brushed or matt is usually the better specification.
How do I clean a mirror finish?
Clean water and a soft cloth. Never a wire brush, an abrasive pad or a chloride based cleaner.
Will two pieces ordered months apart match?
Not reliably. Order a set together so it goes through the polishing shop in one batch.
Is the film removed before shipping?
No. It stays on through freight and should only come off once the piece is fixed and the site is clean.
Ask About the Finish Before You Order
Tell us where the piece will stand and who will touch it, and we will recommend mirror, brushed or matt.