304 stainless steel 2B finish is a mill finish, which is smooth and NOT the brushed finish commonly seen on kitchen appliances. 304 stainless steel 2B finish is light gray in color. 304 stainless steel 2B finish may or may not have a protective film on one side to prevent scratching.

The 2B finish is a standard finish for common stainless steel grades including 201, 304, 304L and 316L. In addition to being economical and having increased corrosion resistance, what makes the 2B finish popular is that it is easy to buff using cloth wheels and compounds to make it very smooth and shiny.

A 304 2b stainless steel is a uniform dull gray finish that is far superior to a No. 1 finish. It retains lubricant well during the drawing process and is suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications. It has a non-reflective surface that is suited for deep drawing, fabrication, and engineering applications.

Considered the most widely used surface finish, 2B is the basis for most polished and brushed finishes. Such common stainless steel grades as 201, 304, 304L and 316L come in a standard 2B finish.