A coated metal article includes a ferrous metal substrate, and an abraded metallic coating on the substrate, wherein the abraded metallic coating has a substantially uniform patterned appearance which simulates the surface appearance of polished stainless steel. A top coating, which may be a relatively thick PVC coating or a thin coating of polyester, epoxy, or acrylic, may overlie the abraded metallic coating on an obverse side of the substrate. The metallic coating may be a Zinc-Nickel alloy and a pre-treatment coating may be applied beneath the top coating. A primer coating may be applied beneath the PVC top coating.