Decorative Finishes

Abstract

From one point of view, finishing may be employed for three main reasons. Firstly, for purely decorative purposes, as in the silver and gold plating of cutlery. Secondly, for solely functional purposes, as in the case of hard chromium plating of bearing surfaces. Finally, a combination of the two, as in the case of the external trim on motor cars, which is finished to provide a decorative effect and a protection against corrosion. Previous chapters have dealt with the second and third points and here we are concerned with the purely decorative function; though a decorative finish which obviously enhances the appearance of an article may also be said to be functional from this aspect, for it is clear that it is predominantly the finish on a manufactured article which attracts the attention of the buyer.