Coatings For Metal Surfaces

An iron-containing metal surface, such as a brushed stainless steel, comprises a heat-set layer of a metal phosphate reaction product formed between a surface metal and phosphate precursor wherein the reaction product layer h an average thickness less than 2 micrometers. A metal surface, that resists retention of environmental stains or marks as well as resisting tarnish at elevated temperatures, is formed by forming a reaction product with the metal surface by heat setting a surface liquid layer containing a phosphate precursor such as a phosphate ester-containing solution or phosphoric acid solution, and optionally containing a phospho alumina precursor, onto the metal surface. An article coated in accordance with this invention is similar in appearance to a similar article without such a coating for maintaining original aesthetic properties.