The variety of skins in CS2 can be divided into several groups depending on the type of finish used. This affects how much the skin will change with an increase in float, as well as the visual effects, which have become even more noticeable thanks to the new lighting system. There are nine types of finishes, each of which, to some extent, replicates a real method of metal painting.
Solid Color
The simplest option is a plain solid color finish without any patterns or designs. A completely white P250 Whiteout or a yellow MP9 Bulldozer are typical examples of this style. Imagine that all weapons are sprayed with the same paint, and this is exactly the result. Despite their apparent simplicity, such skins can be quite expensive, partly because defects are especially noticeable on a monotone finish. Scratches and chips on these items expose the base layer, meaning the unpainted surface of the weapon becomes visible.
Spray-Paint
This finish is a more complex version of the previous one. Technically, it uses tri-planar projection — applying the image to the weapon's surface as if the paint were sprayed on it using a stencil. Most camouflage designs fall into this category, but there are also more unusual variants, for example, P250 Nuclear Threat or Galil AR Phoenix Blacklight. On these skins, the paint is applied in several layers, so with increasing float, the background color may show through first, then wear down to metal.
Hydrographic
This finishing method involves applying a pattern to specific parts of the weapon, while others remain monochrome. Typically, up to four colors are used in such finishes, although additional colors may appear due to a gradient effect. This method is used on many pistols, such as Five-SeveN Crimson Blossom or Five-SeveN Kami, but also on other types of weapons. The SSG 08 Sea Calico leaves the scope and barrel monochrome, while the body is covered with a botanical pattern.
These designs are inspired by hydrographics — a real method of applying images used to customize weapons, car parts, helmets, and other items. Unlike spray-paint designs, here the texture is applied to each part of the weapon separately, as if it were disassembled before painting.
Patina
In real life, patina is a thin film that forms on the surface of metal due to contact with air. As a result, products acquire a more noble tint, and they are often specifically treated to create an artificial patina. Similarly, patina in CS2 — skins with this type of finish retain a clear pattern even at high wear levels and only darken, becoming less bright.
This type of finish is often used for skins whose design reproduces carving or engraving, for example, AK-47 Cartel or Desert Eagle Corinthian, but it also appears on skins with colorful images, such as AWP Medusa. The patina effect is also present on skins whose authors aim to reproduce a real metal surface, such as rust on P250 Verdigris or the traces of hardening on the Case Hardened series.
