CS2 Skin Finish Types Guide
Complete guide to Counter-Strike 2 skin finish types and paint systems. Learn about all the different finish categories including anodized, patina, gunsmith, hydrographic, custom paint, and spray paint finishes. Understand how each finish type interacts with wear, which finishes look best at different conditions, and how finish types affect skin value.
What are Skin Finishes in CS2?
Skin finishes (also called paint finishes or finish types) are the underlying technical systems that determine how a weapon skin's design is applied to the gun model. According to Valve's official developer documentation, each finish type uses different rendering techniques that affect how the skin looks, how it ages with wear, and how light interacts with the surface.
Understanding finish types is essential for traders and collectors because the same float value can look dramatically different depending on the finish type. A 0.35 (Field-Tested) skin might look nearly pristine on one finish type while showing significant wear on another.
Key Insight: Finish Types vs Float Values
While float values determine the degree of wear (0.00-1.00), the finish type determines how that wear manifests visually. Two skins with identical float values can look completely different based on their finish type. This is why experienced traders always consider both factors when evaluating a skin's appearance and value.
Quick Wear Reference
0.00-0.07
0.07-0.15
0.15-0.38
0.38-0.45
0.45-1.00
All CS2 Skin Finish Categories
CS2 uses several distinct finish categories, each with unique properties. Understanding these categories helps you predict how a skin will look at different wear levels and which conditions offer the best value.
Solid Solid Color
Single-color application that covers the entire weapon. Often used for simpler skins like Vanilla knives or basic color schemes.
Wear Behavior:
Shows scratches and chips that reveal the base metal underneath. More wear = more exposed metal areas.
Anodized Anodized
Creates a metallic, reflective surface with a single color. The anodization process adds depth and sheen. Popular examples include many Damascus Steel variations.
Wear Behavior:
Wear appears as dulling and surface scratches. The metallic sheen becomes less pronounced with higher float values.
Anodized Anodized Multicolored
Similar to anodized but with multiple color variations creating gradients or patterns. Examples include Case Hardened and Fade finishes - some of the most valuable pattern-dependent skins.
Wear Behavior:
Relatively wear-resistant for the pattern itself. Pattern variations (like blue gem %) are more important than wear for these finishes.
Aged Patina
Simulates aged, oxidized metal with a weathered appearance. Designed to look naturally worn and vintage. Examples include Rust Coat and certain Brass finishes.
Wear Behavior:
Often looks intentionally aged - higher wear can enhance the "vintage" aesthetic rather than degrade it. Battle-Scarred can look authentic and desirable.
Pattern Gunsmith
Features engraved or etched patterns on the metal surface, often with precious metal plating (gold, silver). Examples include many ornate knife finishes and decorated AK-47s.
Wear Behavior:
Wear shows as fading/scratching of the plating and reduced definition in engravings. Higher quality (FN/MW) shows crisp details.
Pattern Hydrographic
Printed pattern applied through water transfer process. Used for complex camo patterns, animal prints, and detailed designs that wrap around the weapon.
Wear Behavior:
Shows wear as pattern chipping, flaking, and bare spots. High-wear versions can have significant design disruption. Some camo patterns hide wear better than others.
Paint Spray Paint
Simulates spray-painted surfaces with texture and coverage variations. Often has a matte appearance. Examples include graffiti-style skins and street art designs.
Wear Behavior:
Wear appears as paint chipping and flaking, especially on edges and high-contact areas. Can look very worn at Battle-Scarred.
Paint Custom Paint Job
High-resolution artwork applied to the weapon surface. Used for detailed illustrated skins with complex artwork. Many Covert skins use this finish type.
Wear Behavior:
Variable - depends on the specific skin. Some preserve artwork well across conditions; others show significant image degradation at higher wear.
Workshop Creators Take Note
If you're interested in creating skins, understanding finish types is essential. The Workshop Skins Guide explains how to choose the right finish type for your design and how Valve's selection process works.
How Wear Affects Each Finish Type
Different finish types react differently to wear. Understanding this helps you find the best value when shopping for skins. According to research from the CS2 community and data from sources like CSGOStash, here's how each finish type handles wear:
*Patina finishes are designed to look aged, so "wear" often enhances rather than detracts from appearance.
Detailed Wear Analysis by Finish Type
Anodized & Anodized Multicolored
Best at: Factory New to Field-Tested
The metallic sheen and color gradients (like Fade percentages or Case Hardened blue gems) remain largely intact through FT. The pattern is the star - wear is secondary.
Budget Option: Well-Worn
Still shows the pattern clearly. For Case Hardened or Fade, a good pattern at WW often beats a bad pattern at MW. Pattern > condition for these finishes.
Avoid: Battle-Scarred (unless budget)
While the pattern persists, the overall appearance becomes dull. Acceptable for budget users but not ideal for collectors.
Patina Finishes
Best at: Any condition (intentionally worn aesthetic)
Patina skins are designed to look aged. Battle-Scarred Rust Coats can look more authentic and desirable than Factory New versions.
Value Insight: BS often equals or exceeds FN value
Unique among finish types - some patina skins are MORE valuable at Battle-Scarred because the aesthetic matches the design intent.
Custom Paint Job
Best at: Factory New to Minimal Wear
Artwork-heavy skins shine at low wear where all details are visible. The Dragon Lore, Fire Serpent, and Printstream all look best at low float.
Budget Option: Low-Float Field-Tested
Many custom paint skins look nearly MW at 0.15-0.20 float. This is the sweet spot for budget buyers - significant savings with minimal visual difference.
Avoid: Well-Worn and Battle-Scarred
Artwork degradation becomes significant. Important design elements may chip away or become obscured.
Hydrographic
Best at: Factory New to Minimal Wear
The water-transfer pattern looks crisp and complete at low wear. This is when these skins look their best.
Exception: Camo Patterns
Some hydrographic camo patterns (like Jungle, Desert, etc.) actually hide wear well since the pattern is already "messy" by design.
Worst at: Battle-Scarred
Pattern can be severely disrupted with large bare patches. Most hydrographic skins have steep price drops from FN to BS.
Best Wear Conditions by Finish Type
This quick reference table shows the recommended wear conditions for each finish type based on visual appearance and value:
| Finish Type | Ideal Condition | Best Budget Option | Avoid If Possible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anodized | FN - MW | FT (low float) | BS |
| Anodized Multi | Any (pattern matters more) | FT with good pattern | Bad pattern at any wear |
| Patina | BS or FN (both valid) | WW-BS | N/A (all conditions work) |
| Gunsmith | FN - MW | Low-float FT | BS |
| Hydrographic | FN - MW | Low-float FT | WW, BS |
| Spray Paint | FN - MW | Low-float FT | BS |
| Custom Paint | FN - MW | Low-float FT | WW, BS |
| Solid Color | FN - MW | Any FT | BS (visible scratches) |
Important: Always Inspect Before Buying
Float value alone doesn't tell the whole story. Two skins with identical floats can look different based on wear seed (which determines WHERE scratches appear). Always use the inspection tools or a float checker before purchasing expensive skins.
How Finish Types Affect Skin Value
Finish type significantly impacts the price spread between wear conditions. Understanding these patterns helps you find value and avoid overpaying.
Price Spread by Finish Type
The "price spread" is the percentage difference between Factory New and Battle-Scarred prices for the same skin. Data from the Steam Community Market shows clear patterns:
High Spread (70-95%)
Hydrographic, Spray Paint
FN versions command massive premiums. BS versions are very cheap but look significantly worse.
Medium Spread (40-70%)
Custom Paint, Gunsmith, Solid
Moderate price differences. FT often offers best value - looks close to MW at fraction of price.
Low Spread (10-40%)
Anodized, Anodized Multi
Pattern matters more than condition. A great pattern at WW can cost more than a poor pattern at FN.
Inverse Spread
Patina
Unique case where BS can match or exceed FN prices. Wear enhances the intended aesthetic.
Value Hunting by Finish Type
Smart traders use finish type knowledge to find undervalued skins:
- For Anodized Multicolored: Focus on pattern quality over wear. A blue gem Case Hardened at FT beats an average pattern at FN.
- For Custom Paint: Target the 0.15-0.20 float range. These look nearly MW but price as FT.
- For Patina: Don't overpay for FN - BS versions often look better and can cost less.
- For Hydrographic: If you want budget skins, accept the visual trade-offs. If appearance matters, pay for low float.
Buying Tips by Finish Type
Maximize your purchases by understanding what to look for with each finish type:
Pattern-Based Finishes (Fade, Case Hardened)
Priority: Pattern > Float > Price
- Use pattern tools to check Fade % or blue gem coverage
- A top 5% pattern at FT is worth more than average pattern at FN
- Screenshot/inspect every potential purchase
- Know the pattern tiers before shopping
Artwork-Heavy Finishes (Dragon Lore, Printstream)
Priority: Float > Placement > Pattern
- Low float is crucial - artwork degrades noticeably with wear
- Check wear placement on key artwork areas
- Low-float FT (0.15-0.17) often best value
- Use float checker to verify exact values
Patina/Weathered Finishes (Rust Coat, Brass)
Priority: Personal preference > Price > Float
- Both FN and BS are valid choices for different looks
- BS often cheaper with arguably better aesthetic
- Check market for price anomalies (BS > FN sometimes)
- Choose based on the "story" you want the skin to tell
Metallic/Gunsmith Finishes (Gold, Engraved)
Priority: Float > Price > StatTrak
- Engraving details show best at FN-MW
- Metallic sheen degrades with wear
- FT acceptable but MW recommended for "bling" factor
- Consider StatTrak for these showcase skins
Workshop & Custom Finishes
Understanding finish types is also essential if you're interested in creating skins through the Steam Workshop. Here's what creators need to know:
Finish Type Selection for Creators
According to Valve's developer documentation, creators must choose a finish type when submitting skins. This choice affects:
- Wear behavior: How your design degrades at different float values
- Material properties: How light reflects off the surface
- Pattern application: How your artwork wraps around the weapon
- Texture resolution: Some finish types support higher resolution than others
Pro Tip for Creators
Test your skin design at multiple wear levels before submission. A design that looks great at FN but falls apart at FT will likely be passed over by Valve. The best skins look good across a range of conditions. Check out the Workshop Skins Guide for complete submission guidelines.
Common Creator Mistakes
- Choosing Hydrographic for detailed artwork (wear disrupts pattern badly)
- Not testing wear placement on important design elements
- Ignoring how the finish interacts with weapon geometry
- Designing only for FN appearance without considering other conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What finish type shows wear the least?
Anodized Multicolored finishes (like Case Hardened and Fade) show wear the least dramatically because the pattern itself remains intact - only the metallic sheen dulls slightly. Patina finishes are a special case where wear actually enhances the design rather than degrading it.
Why do some Battle-Scarred skins cost more than Factory New?
This typically happens with Patina finish skins like the Rust Coat series. The Battle-Scarred version looks more "authentic" to the intended weathered aesthetic, making it more desirable to some collectors. It's a unique market dynamic where high wear is seen as a feature, not a flaw.
How do I know what finish type a skin uses?
The finish type isn't always displayed in-game, but you can find it on databases like CSGOStash, or by inspecting the skin's appearance characteristics. Pattern-dependent skins (Fade, Case Hardened) are Anodized Multicolored. Artwork skins are usually Custom Paint. Weathered-looking skins are often Patina.
Does finish type affect float value range?
No, the float value range (0.00-1.00) is separate from finish type. However, many specific skins have restricted float ranges set by Valve (e.g., some skins only drop between 0.00-0.70). The finish type determines how wear appears, not the range of possible wear values.
Should I always buy Factory New?
Not necessarily. For Patina finishes, FN isn't always preferred. For Anodized Multicolored, pattern quality matters more than condition. For most other finishes, low-float Field-Tested (0.15-0.20) often provides the best value - looking close to MW at a significant discount. Always inspect the specific skin rather than just checking float.
Do finish types affect StatTrak availability?
No, StatTrak availability is independent of finish type. Any skin that drops from cases has a 10% chance of being StatTrak, regardless of its finish type.
Related Guides & Tools
Explore more resources to help you understand and trade CS2 skins:
- Float Values Explained - Understand the 0.00-1.00 wear system
- Float Checker Tool - Check exact float values and wear tiers
- Skin Patterns Guide - Case Hardened, Fade, Doppler patterns
- Skin Inspection Guide - How to properly inspect skins before buying
- Workshop Skins Guide - Creating skins with different finish types
- Skin Rarity Tiers - Understanding rarity and value
- Skin Trading Guide - Market mechanics and trading tips
- Pattern Value Estimator - Calculate pattern premiums
- All CS2 Tools - Browse our complete toolkit
Final Perspective:
"Understanding finish types transforms you from a casual buyer into a smart trader. The players who know that a 0.35 float Case Hardened with 85% blue can be worth more than a 0.01 float with 30% blue - those are the ones finding real value in the market. Finish type knowledge is what separates someone who just checks float from someone who truly understands skin value. Master the finish types, and you'll never overpay for a skin again - or undersell one you didn't realize was special."
Important Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes only. Skin trading involves financial risk. Only trade with money you can afford to lose. For help with gambling-related issues, visit BeGambleAware.org.
Last updated: January 2026