plastic objects are exposed to a gas mixture containing fluorine and a gaseous oxidizing agent , to produce an extremely smooth surface on the objects . the oxidizing agent can be oxygen , and the object is preferably exposed to the gaseous mixture for about 10 - 30 seconds . the surface of the object treated according to the present invention is found to be considerably more smooth and glossy than objects treated with fluorine alone , without the oxidizing agent . the surface formed according to the present invention therefore minimizes the contact area between the treated object and the surrounding media .