Colour Options for Stainless Steel Sculpture

Choosing the Right Finish for Indoor or Outdoor Use

A mirror polished stainless steel surface resists weathering and is suitable for outdoor use, while a brushed finish shows fingerprints and scratches more easily, making it better indoors. Baked lacquer paint and colour electroplating are both vulnerable to abrasion and UV exposure, so they are best for sheltered areas. Tell the workshop where the sculpture will be placed so the finish is matched to the environment.

Matching Colour to a Physical Sample Before Production

Colour electroplating and baked lacquer paint are not applied from a digital image. A physical sample is made from the same material and finish as the final piece, and approved by the buyer before any production begins. This step ensures the final result matches the intended colour, especially when the reference is a paint chip, fabric swatch or existing object.

How Each Finish Behaves When Scratched

A mirror polished surface shows scratches as bright lines and is difficult to repair without re-polishing the whole face. A brushed finish hides minor scratches but can show wear patterns over time. Baked lacquer paint chips or flakes when scratched deeply, and colour electroplating can wear through to the base metal if the surface is abraded. Consider the expected handling and maintenance when choosing.

What to Tell the Workshop When You Have a Fixed Colour Reference

If the colour must match a specific reference—such as a paint chip, fabric sample, or existing object—send that physical item with the enquiry. The workshop will make a sample from the same material and apply the finish to match it. Do not rely on digital images or colour names alone, as they vary between screens and lighting.

Why the Finish Is Applied in House

Colour electroplating and baked lacquer paint are both done in the same workshop where the sculpture is built. This allows the finish to be applied after forming and polishing, and ensures the piece is not moved between facilities. It also means the team can adjust the process if the sample does not match the reference, without delay.