Transparent coatings for wiping
away fingerprints and stains on stainless steel
Elevator panelling, handrails, and other frequently touched surfaces collect fingerprints within hours, and ordinary steel holds onto that residue until someone scrubs it off. AFP coating reduces these marks at the source, so fingerprints, dirt, and even graffiti wipe away without leaving streaks or residue, which saves cleaning crews from scrubbing the same panels several times a day in busy lobbies and stairwells. Stainless Inox develops this anti fingerprint coating for metal with a nanotechnology lab, applying it to both colored and non-colored decorative sheets used across architectural and interior fit-out projects.
The layer measures only a few nanometers thick, leaving the sheet only slightly darker than an untreated one while the surface feel and optical finish stay unchanged, so designers do not need to adjust their specification to account for a visible coating. The same barrier also blocks oxygen and moisture from reaching the steel, strengthening corrosion resistance alongside its anti finger coating properties, and surface hardness increases once the nano treatment cures. For fabricators supplying lift cabins, kitchen equipment, and wall cladding, that combination of corrosion resistance and fingerprint protection means one treatment covers two of the most common complaints raised after installation. It also gives specifiers a single line item to add to a project's stainless steel scope instead of pricing fingerprint resistance and corrosion protection as separate treatments.
Why Choose Anti-fingerprint Nano Coatings
Seven practical advantages explain why fabricators across the GCC specify anti fingerprint coating on high-touch stainless steel projects. Nano coating fills the surface pores that trap finger oil, so smudges stay faint instead of setting into a visible film, while the coating preserves the sheet's original color, grain, and reflectivity, keeping a brushed or mirror finish looking the same after years of use. Coated panels need a wipe with a dry cloth instead of daily degreasing, cutting cleaning frequency on lift interiors and handrails from daily to weekly, and the nano layer in this anti finger coating adds a barrier against light scratching and grime buildup, leaving door handles and push plates with less visible wear.
Hydrophobic and oleophobic properties make water bead off rather than spread, and oil from hands slides away before it settles into the grain, which matters most on elevators, kitchen equipment, wall panels, doors, and handrails. Lower cleaning frequency and slower wear cut maintenance call-outs over a building's lifecycle, making anti fingerprint coating for metal pay back its upfront cost well before the sheet needs replacing.
Ease of maintenance: Solves the
problems of fingerprints on Stainless Steel; ease of maintenance can be accomplished with
use of a clean cotton towel or cloth, and light detergent, such as Windex.
Increase surface hardness: Regular
Stainless steel is rated 2-H to 3-H pencil hardness test. After the AFP treatment, the
surface hardness is tripled to reach at least 6 H hardness, which decreases the chances of
receiving surface scratches.
Anti-corrosion rating: Tested and
proven by SGS (Salt Spray Test), up to 500 hours.
Anti-Chemical substances: There has
been a noticeable improvement on decreasing the risk of corrosive chemical substances
damaging the stainless steel.
Laser and high temperature cutting :
Regular transparent coating on stainless steel cannot resist laser cutting and often times
leaves obvious burn marks on the surface; however, after the application of Nano AFP
treatment, laser burn marks are reduced.
Adhesion Test: passed 100% Cross-Cut
Test after AFP treatment. The material can be bent or folded, and still retains the same
physical properties of regular Stainless Steel.
Cleaning and Availability
The AFP treatment removes the rough areas by stripping off a surface layer
measuring just a few micron. This procedure is gentle on the materials without causing any micro
structural change. Surface roughness can be halved, crests and burrs are removed.It entails a
minimum workload for basic cleaning and care. The surface can be easily cleand with all non-abrasive
cleaning agents. Usually the wiping with clean and soft microfiber towel is sufficient.
Stainlessinox offers AFP on colored and non colored stainless steel
surfaces like brushed #4, Blend 'S' and embossed sheets upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
AFP coating is a nanometer-thin layer bonded to stainless steel that stops oil, moisture, and dirt from settling into the surface pores.
Coated panels wipe clean with a dry cloth instead of daily degreasing, cutting cleaning frequency on handrails and lift panels from daily to weekly.
AFP bonds at a molecular level rather than sitting on top, so it lasts through years of daily contact without peeling or wearing off.
No. The nano layer adds a protective barrier that resists light scratching and daily wear better than untreated stainless steel.
It keeps surfaces smudge-free, repels water and oil, resists minor scratches, and lowers cleaning costs across lifts, kitchens, and commercial interiors.
