Surface Finish Guide For Metal Spheres
Eight finishes with their maximum diameters colour options and behaviour outdoors and under retail lighting.
Mirror Polishing
The strongest reflection and the standard finish on stainless, brass and copper spheres. It is what makes a sphere disappear into its surroundings and reflect the sky.
Brushed and Mill Finish
More texture, and far more forgiving with fingerprints and water marks. Brushed is a common choice on fountain spheres because mineral deposits do not show as sharply.
Sandblasting and Etching
A matt surface, and the route for map lines, patterns, country names and lettering. Sandblasted world maps can be painted onto large steel balls.
Vacuum Metalizing (PVD)
Brilliant mirror or matt transparent candy colour — red, green, orange, gold and more. Size range ∅6mm to ∅500mm. Fingerprint free, which is why it suits Christmas ranges and luxury display.
Titanium Electroplating
Mirror or matt metallic colour — titanium gold, black, copper, bronze, rainbow. Size range ∅6mm to ∅2200mm. Fingerprint free.
Spray Painting
The car painting method. Size range ∅6mm to ∅3500mm, the widest colour choice, a superior general purpose protective coating with impact resistance.
Powder Coating
Used on stamped steel and aluminium hemispheres for art and lighting work, where a smooth even coat matters more than reflection.
Rust Patina
Not a coating but a decision. Carbon steel left raw develops iron oxide that looks organic and industrial. It takes many decades for rust to affect the ball.
At a Glance
| Finish | Max diameter | Fingerprint free | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirror polished | ∅3500mm | No | Yes |
| Brushed / mill | ∅3500mm | Better than mirror | Yes |
| Vacuum metalizing (PVD) | ∅500mm | Yes | Display and interior |
| Titanium electroplating | ∅2200mm | Yes | Yes |
| Spray painting | ∅3500mm | No | Yes |
Products Referenced Here
Rainbow Stainless Steel Gazing Ball
102mm
Titanium Gold Steel Ball
1000mm, 102mm, 10mm, 1100mm, 114mm, 1200mm, 120mm, 127mm, 1300mm, 133mm, 138mm, 1400mm, 1500mm, 150mm, 159mm, 15mm, 1600mm, 1700mm, 1800mm, 180mm, 1900mm, 19mm, 2000mm, 200mm, 2100mm, 219mm, 2200mm, 250mm, 25mm, 300mm, 30mm, 32mm, 3500mm, 350mm, 38mm, 400mm, 42mm, 450mm, 480mm, 500mm, 510mm, 51mm, 550mm, 55mm, 600mm, 60mm, 63mm, 650mm, 66mm, 6mm, 700mm, 750mm, 76mm, 800mm, 80mm, 850mm, 89mm, 8mm, 900mm, 90mm, 950mm, 95mm
Brushed Stainless Steel Hollow Balls
102mm
200mm Stainless Steel Ball Brushed Surface Sphere
Made to orderExplore Further
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Porsgrunn, NorwaySurface Finish Guide For Metal Spheres FAQ
Which finish for a retail showcase?
Which finish for a fountain?
Can colour go on a ∅3 metre sphere?
When is the finish applied?
Put This Into Practice
Send the specification, or the question this guide raised, and an engineer will answer directly.