Panneau de la compagnie ferroviaire Union Pacific, grand format 25" x 22"

Raw Steel: Ships as bare metal—affordable, no added finish cost, and quickest to produce/ship. Ideal if you plan to paint it yourself, weld it further, or want a custom look (e.g., intentional patina or rattle-can paint). Note: Mild steel rusts quickly when exposed to moisture/humidity—store indoors and apply protection soon if used outdoors or in damp garages. Great for budget builds or immediate DIY finishing.

Powder Coat: A baked-on, professional-grade finish (textured black standard). Much tougher than regular paint—resists chips, scratches, fading, and rust far better. Provides excellent protection for job-site, vehicle, or outdoor use (like tool mounts in vans or garages). Adds a small upcharge but delivers a premium, long-lasting look with minimal maintenance. Powder coat also helps hardware stay functional longer by reducing wear.

How do I choose the right gauge for my project?

• Choose thicker gauges (10 or 11) for heavy-duty strength, structural parts, or high-load applications. Example: Using the plate on a horizontal application such floor or dolly.
• Choose thinner gauges (14) for lighter-weight parts, panels, or where cost matters more. Ideal for vertical applications suck as wall or bedside mount.

Why does gauge go backward (lower number = thicker)?
The gauge system originated from the number of draws needed to produce wire/sheet of that thickness. Fewer draws = thicker material = lower gauge number.