Abstract: A method for finishing a workpiece is disclosed. The method involves placing a ferrofluid finishing material into a vessel. The ferrofluid finishing material including a ferrofluid and a dispersed or colloidally suspended abrasive media. Placing a workpiece in the vessel so that the workpiece is submerged in the ferrofluid finishing material. A magnetic field is then applied in the vicinity of the vessel. The magnetic field produces an increase in viscosity of the ferrofluid. The increased viscosity generates a clamping force on the workpiece that results in increased surface resistance over the entire workpiece. Also, as the viscosity increases, it forces the workpiece to move relative to the ferrofluid. The relative motion between the abrasive media and the workpiece and increased surface resistance causes the abrasive media to finish the surface of the workpiece.