• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

machined and brushed satin?

  • Thread starter Thread starter snowman23
  • Start date Start date Feb 20, 2011

snowman23

Member
May 2, 2005
242
6
19
"in every direction"
Feb 20, 2011
#1
  • Feb 20, 2011
  • #1
Generally speaking, are machined and brushed satin finished billet parts the same finish, in other words, should they theoretically match? I DO NOT want polished and am finishing up some ordering from more than one site and want to make sure they should match.
 

mazen189

Member
Jul 31, 2007
424
0
16
I.E. southern california
Feb 22, 2011
#2
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #2
Thats a good question. I had the same problem too when buying my interior parts.
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Feb 22, 2011
#3
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #3
no. Machined has kind of a shiny look similar to the way wheels cut on a CNC machine look right after they are hosed off, while satin has more of a uniform dull look. All of my interior parts have been satin. I really dislike the look of machined aluminum.

I much prefer satin to machined.

here's a machined piece of aluminum



here's a satin piece of aluminum

 

01GT eibach

Active Member
Nov 18, 2002
1,075
0
36
Pittsburgh, PA
Feb 23, 2011
#4
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #4
machined = polished shiny
satin = not shiny
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Feb 23, 2011
#5
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #5
01GT eibach said:
machined = polished shiny
satin = not shiny
Click to expand...

Machined is not polished shiny... it is shiny yes, but definitely not polished shiny
 

snowman23

Member
May 2, 2005
242
6
19
"in every direction"
Feb 27, 2011
#6
  • Feb 27, 2011
  • #6
N8Dogg- your description / pics are on the money.

I got the machined steeda door sills and will be using some blue magic and elbow grease to make them look how I envisioned them, which is what apparently is called a satin finish. I will then be ordering some a/c knobs, etc in satin.
On a related side note, I had the steeda a/c knobs but returned them because they lit up clear, which meant the yellowish back light shined through and looked terrible with the rest of the green instrumentation. I am now looking at MGW and / or UPR pieces...
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Feb 28, 2011
#7
  • Feb 28, 2011
  • #7
Thanks snowman.... I have some satin MGW pieces in my car and they are f'n awesome
 

snowman23

Member
May 2, 2005
242
6
19
"in every direction"
Mar 2, 2011
#8
  • Mar 2, 2011
  • #8
N8Dogg98 said:
Thanks snowman.... I have some satin MGW pieces in my car and they are f'n awesome
Click to expand...

You are not the first person to tell me that, I will most likely be going that route since steeda did not work out for me. Thanks again. Once I have everything in, I will (try to) post pics.
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Mar 2, 2011
#9
  • Mar 2, 2011
  • #9
Just don't go overboard with that stuff man. I've seen many cars get out of hand with blingy chit everywhere. To me the e-brake handle, bullitt pedals, turn signal/tilt steering pieces, door lock pins, HVAC knobs, and the cup holder parts is all you need to really make the interior stand out.

I personally don't really like when people do the window switches, defrost button, headlight switch, etc... just gets way too over the top for me. I even think the hvac knobs look like a little much sometimes but you know what they say, opinions are like a** holes...
 

snowman23

Member
May 2, 2005
242
6
19
"in every direction"
Mar 3, 2011
#10
  • Mar 3, 2011
  • #10
N8Dogg98 said:
Just don't go overboard with that stuff man. I've seen many cars get out of hand with blingy chit everywhere. To me the e-brake handle, bullitt pedals, turn signal/tilt steering pieces, door lock pins, HVAC knobs, and the cup holder parts is all you need to really make the interior stand out.

I personally don't really like when people do the window switches, defrost button, headlight switch, etc... just gets way too over the top for me. I even think the hvac knobs look like a little much sometimes but you know what they say, opinions are like a** holes...
Click to expand...

I agree that it is very easy to go overboard and end up with a tacky look. I have the steeda door sills, the ford interior upgrade package (which is the "billet" pedals, door lock pins, shifter ring, and silver painted console trim) and a coin holder delete (that I am debating whether or not I like b/c it seems "stuck there" to me at times rather than clean looking).

I plan to add the hvac knobs and cig lighter from either upr or most likely mgw. The other piece I was considering is the headlight knob so that all the knobs would match.

I decided against the cup holder trim and door switches for the reason of not wanting to go overboard. I figure with the cig ligher and hvac along with what I have already, I will be done up, but not done too much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Paint in engine bay questions
  • B0udreaux
  • Feb 26, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
287
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 27, 2026
AeroCoupe
6
2010 V6 Sees differently than GT?
  • 6t9Mach1
  • Mar 31, 2026
  • 2010 - 2014 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
179
2010 - 2014 Specific Tech Apr 1, 2026
6t9Mach1
6
B
water pump installation questions
  • B0udreaux
  • Feb 5, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
38
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 28, 2026
General karthief
0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
694
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
SCAMMER on Stangnet
  • R82148V
  • Aug 5, 2025
  • Feedback Area | Testing Zone
Replies
9
Views
334
Feedback Area | Testing Zone Aug 6, 2025
General karthief
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?