Specify the finish by surface and requirement
Machined parts finishing can affect appearance, corrosion behavior, wear, fit or electrical contact, depending on the selected treatment and part. Avoid a vague note such as "finish as needed." Identify each affected face and provide a finish specification or acceptance description that the supplier can review.
Protect dimensions and interfaces
Some finishing steps can change surface dimensions or affect edge details. Mark bores, threads, fits, datums and contact areas that must meet drawing requirements after finishing. If a surface must remain untreated, identify it and show masking boundaries. The impact depends on the selected process and component geometry.
Separate appearance from function
Describe whether the requirement is visual, functional or both. Where appearance matters, identify viewing faces and define the acceptable surface condition. Where a coating or treatment supports a functional requirement, cite the relevant specification and inspection criteria instead of using a general adjective.
Review finish options in context
The requested treatment should match the material and use case and be confirmed for the part. See our CNC surface finishes information for a broader overview. This page focuses on specifying and reviewing the finishing scope for machined parts.
Include finish scope in the quotation
Send the drawing and model with material, quantity, finishing callouts, masking limits, critical dimensions and inspection needs. Identify any finish certificates or records required. The team can review how machining and finishing fit together before confirming the quotation.
