What is Steel-It? In business since 1974, STEEL-IT® brand coatings from Stainless Steel Coatings Inc., which are applied just like paint, contain custom-engineered 316L stainless steel flake for superior protection against corrosion, abrasion, and harsh chemicals. Although the individual flakes are indiscernible to the naked eye, under a microscope, STEEL-IT coatings show a neat horizontal layered alignment of tightly overlapping, pure 316L flakes that form a metallic barrier film near the coating’s surface. This makes the film nearly impervious to corrosion and corrosive elements.