A cosmetic second is a manufactured item that failed visual inspection due to scratches, color mismatch, or minor surface blemishes, but still meets all structural and performance standards. Instead of scrapping the unit, the factory downgrades it and sells it through discount channels. This helps recover material and labor costs from minor process errors.
Heard on the job
Sort those scratched housings into the cosmetic second bin so they don't get shipped to the primary distributor.
Also heard as
- factory second
- B-grade