The Right Finish: Choosing the Perfect Finish for Your Stainless Steel Product

Corrosion-Resistant: Ideal for Outdoor Furniture, Kitchen Appliances, and Automotive Parts

Durable and Long-Lasting: Withstanding Heavy Use and Wear for Reliability

Foodservice Industry

Essential: Stainless Steel is the Gold Standard in Fast-Paced Foodservice Settings

Modern Aesthetics: Sleek Appearance

Enhancing Traditional and Contemporary Settings

Easy Maintenance: Simple Cleaning with Mild Soap and Water Ensures Pristine Condition

Advantages of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a popular material choice for both functional and decorative products. It offers numerous advantages that make it an excellent option for various applications.

Firstly, stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion. It contains chromium, which forms a protective layer on the surface of the material, preventing rust and corrosion. This makes stainless steel ideal for products that are exposed to moisture or harsh environments, such as outdoor furniture, kitchen appliances, and automotive parts.

Secondly, stainless steel is known for its strength and durability. It can withstand heavy use and is resistant to wear, making it suitable for products that require high structural integrity.

Durability is a crucial factor in the foodservice industry, where products are subjected to constant use and exposure to various elements. Stainless steel, with its corrosion resistance and strength, is an ideal material choice for serviceware products like beverage carafes and dispensers.

The ability of stainless steel to withstand heavy use and maintain its structural integrity ensures that foodservice items remain reliable and long-lasting. In a fast-paced and demanding environment like the foodservice industry, durability is key to ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

Additionally, stainless steel has an attractive appearance that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your product. It has a modern and sleek look that complements various design styles and can be easily incorporated into both traditional and contemporary settings.

Furthermore, stainless steel is easy to clean and maintain. It is non-porous, which means it does not absorb stains or odors. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water is usually sufficient to keep stainless steel products looking their best.

In essence, stainless steel stands out as the ideal material choice for service ware, offering a perfect blend of corrosion resistance, unparalleled strength, timeless aesthetic appeal, and effortless maintenance. If you prioritize durability and a sleek, modern look for your product, stainless steel is the clear winner.

Enhancing Your Stainless Steel with Finishing Touches

Service Ideas offers a variety of finish options to enhance the visual appeal of your stainless steel products. From the durable and versatile PVD finishes to the intricate and unique Hydro-Dipping techniques, you can customize your products to stand out and make a statement. Consider the specific requirements and desired look of your product to select the ideal finish option.

PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION

Understanding PVD Finishes

PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition, and it is a popular finish option for various products. This process involves depositing thin layers of metal onto the surface of the product using a vacuum chamber. The result is a durable and high-quality finish that offers excellent resistance to wear, corrosion, and fading.

One of the main advantages of PVD finishes is their versatility. They can be applied to a wide range of materials, including stainless steel. This makes them suitable for many service ware items from Service Ideas.

Another benefit of PVD finishes is their aesthetic appeal. They achieve different metallic colors through the PVD process of vapor deposition, creating a stunning array

of finishes that range from classic silver and gold to trendy rose gold and vintage hues. This creates a unique and eye-catching look on the product.

Additionally, PVD finishes are environmentally friendly. The process does not involve the use of harmful chemicals or solvents, making it a sustainable choice for your finishing needs.

These finishes are also dishwasher safe, ensuring that your stainless steel products not only look great but also remain easy to clean and maintain for long-lasting use. So, if you’re looking to elevate the aesthetic appeal of your stainless steel items while prioritizing durability and ease of care, PVD finishes are the perfect choice.

HYDRO DIPPING

Exploring Hydro-Dipping Techniques

Hydro-dipping, also known as water transfer printing or hydrographics, is a decorative finishing technique that involves applying intricate patterns or designs to the surface of an object. The process starts by preparing a water tank with a special film that contains the desired pattern. The object is then handdipped into the water, and the film adheres to its surface.

One of the advantages of hydro dipping is its ability to create unique and visually appealing finishes. The technique allows for the application of complex patterns, such as camouflage, wood grain, marble, and more. This makes it a popular choice for customizing various products, including automotive parts, sporting goods, electronics, and home decor items.

Hydro dipping also offers excellent adhesion and durability. The finished product is resistant to scratches, fading, and chemicals, ensuring a long-lasting and high-quality finish.

However, it’s important to note that hydro dipping is not suitable for all materials and is susceptible to scratching under frequent and intense usage. It works best on objects made of plastic, metal, or other non-porous materials. Additionally, the size and shape of the object can limit the feasibility of hydro dipping.

Additionally, it’s crucial to note that while hydro dipping can create stunning and intricate finishes, objects treated with this technique are not considered dishwashersafe. The process of hydro dipping may not

withstand the high temperatures and harsh detergents typically used in dishwashers, leading to potential damage or fading of the finish.

Therefore, it is recommended to hand wash items that have undergone hydro dipping to preserve their beauty and longevity. Remember to handle these products with care to ensure they maintain their unique and eye-catching appearance for years to come.

POWDER COATING

Benefits of Powder Coating

Powder coating is a finishing process that involves applying a dry powder to the surface of an object and then curing it with heat. The powder consists of a mixture of resin, pigment, and additives, which is electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the product. The heat causes the powder to melt and form a smooth and durable coating.

One of the main benefits of powder coating is its durability. The cured coating is resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and corrosion, making it ideal for products that are exposed to harsh conditions or heavy use.

While powder coating offers exceptional durability, it is important to note that it is not

completely scratch-resistant. In simple terms, the longevity of the powder coating finish can be likened to the paint on a car, and over time, it may develop minor scratches.

Powder coating also offers a wide range of colors and finishes to choose from. The powder can be customized to achieve different textures, such as matte, glossy, or textured. This allows you to create a finish that matches your desired aesthetic.

Furthermore, powder coating is an environmentally friendly option. The process does not involve the use of solvents or emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional liquid coatings.

SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

Comparing the Finish Options

When choosing the perfect finish for your product, it’s important to consider the specific requirements and desired aesthetic.

Service Ideas offers a range of finish options that can meet various needs.

PVD finishes are a popular choice for their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. They can achieve different colors and finishes, making them suitable for a wide range of stainless steel products.

Hydro dipping techniques allow for the application of intricate patterns and designs, making it a great option for customization. Keep in mind the material and size limitations, as well as the need for hand washing when considering this technique.

Powder coating provides a durable and customizable finish that is resistant to chipping, scratching, and fading. They can be customized to achieve specific PMS colors, making them suitable for branding.

Stainless steel is a reliable and attractive option that offers corrosion resistance, strength, and easy maintenance. It is suitable for both functional and decorative products.

When comparing the finish options from Service Ideas, consider the specific requirements of your product and the desired aesthetic. Choose the finish that best meets your needs in terms of durability, customization, and visual appeal.

SI Finishes

Features

• Durable, high-quality finish resistant to wear, corrosion, and fading.

• Versatile, applicable to various materials including stainless steel, making it suitable for service ware items.

• Aesthetic appeal: Achieves different metallic colors through vapor deposition, offering a range from classic silver to trendy rose gold.

• Environmentally friendly: No harmful chemicals or solvents used, making it a sustainable choice.

• Dishwasher safe, ensuring easy cleaning and maintenance for long-lasting use.

Dishwasher Safe Yes

Durability

Most durable finish option

Enviormental Factors PVD process is harmless to the enviornment. It uses no water or toxic chemicals and doesn’t produce toxic residues

Cusomization Options

• Can be etched and pad printed

• Select colors available

HYDRO DIPPING POWDER COATING

• Creates visually appealing finishes like camouflage, wood grain, and marble, popular for customizing various products.

• Offers excellent adhesion and durability, resistant to scratches, fading, and chemicals.

• Not suitable for all materials; works best on plastic, metal, or non-porous materials.

• Not entirely scratch-resistant, but akin to car paint in longevity, it may develop minor scratches over time.

• Offers a wide array of colors and finishes, customizable for different textures like matte, glossy, or textured.

• Environmentally friendly: no solvents used, emits no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it safer and more sustainable compared to liquid coatings.

Not recommended Yes

Durable but will scratch with heavy use

Water-based inks and films, minimizing harsh chemicals and solvents and having a low environmental impact

• Can be etched and pad printed

• Custom patterns available

Durable but will scratch with heavy use

Powder coating process generates no or low VACs (Volatile Organic Compounds) vs. traditional liquid paint

• Can be etched and pad printed

• Color match any pantone swatch

A HISTORY OF SERVICE IDEAS

We entered the foodservice industry in 1946 with a passion for food and a vision for better service. Over Seventy-five years later, we continue to bring service ideas to the table.

About Us

In 1946, Art Murray had a vision how to improve service in his restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. His very first invention was a domed ashtray with a light that could signal the wait-person if the guest needed something. Art’s son, Patrick, joined the company in the early 1970s. He expanded the company across the nation and extended the product line to include other tabletop service ware. Today, the third generation, remains active in providing quality, innovative food service presentation products to various markets.

Why Service Ideas?

SUPERIOR PRODUCTS

Each product is developed to improve the way operators are serving food and beverages.

TESTED TO ENSURE QUALITY

In-house quality department meticulously tests each new product so that it meets your standards.

DELIVERED WITH CARE

Over 1,800 products warehoused on-site and guaranteed to ship within 48 hours.