High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Brushed metal is metal that has been abraded ("brushed"), usually with a fine grit sandpaper. The brushing gives the metal a distinctive look, as it retains some but not all of its metallic lustre and is given a pattern of very fine lines. It can be compared to metal with several small scratches all running in the same direction. Commonly used metals for brushing include stainless steel, aluminium and nickel.