Hot rolled steel comes with a scaly surface, slightly rounded edges and corners and the surface is non-oily. Cold rolled steel has an oily or greasy finish, very smooth surface, and very sharp edges.

Apply white vinegar to a damp cloth and rub it over the entire surface of the sink. Rub in circular motions until the steel appears glossy and shiny. Rinse the white vinegar out of the cloth, and rub it over the steel to rinse away any vinegar residue on the steel.

Since the material is no longer hot and malleable, a significantly higher amount of pressure is required to compress it into the desired shape. While this process can be more labor-intensive and expensive than the hot rolling process, it can achieve tighter dimensional tolerances and better surface qualities.

Cold Rolled Steel typically has a smooth, somewhat shiny finish with square edges (in Flat and Square Bars), and the sizes are more precise.

No. 2B – A smooth, moderately reflective cold-rolled annealed and pickled or descaled finish typically produced by imparting a final light cold-rolled pass using [large diameter] polished rolls. This general-purpose finish is more readily polished than No 1 or 2D finishes.

2B: This is achieved by cold rolling, heat treating and pickling, along with the application of a light rolling at the end in order to achieve a smooth and reflective sheen. Considered the most widely used surface finish, 2B is the basis for most polished and brushed finishes.

How to Polish Metal to a Mirror Finish

1. Begin by sanding the surface with a coarse sandpaper, around a 40 grit. Either sand the surface by hand, or using a sanding tool.
2. Use a sisal mop to apply a buffing compound, usually in grey or brown.
3. Replace the material on the buffing wheel with a white stitched mop.

Disadvantages of cold rolling: The wall thickness of the cold-rolled formed steel is relatively small,and it is not thickened at the corner where the plate joins. The ability to withstand localized concentrated loads is weak.

Cold worked steels are typically harder and stronger than standard hot rolled steels. Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has been through further processing. Once hot rolled steel has cooled, it is then re-rolled at room temperature to achieve more exact dimensions and better surface qualities.