THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PLATING YOUR PARTS
Thorough check of your parts/material is necessary before leaving any parts with us for plating.
We will not accept for plating (or will only plate at your own risk) any items at all that:
- are made of an unknown material / may contain aluminium (unless plating process requested allows plating on such material) or any other material not resistant to most common acids used in plating, as this may get damaged / dissolve completely in the process
- may contain any rubber or polythene, as this may get damaged in the process
- are spot welded only or may have porous welding that could trap acids in the pores / gaps
- are or seem to be hollow on the inside and do not have any easy flowing / clear drainage, therefore may trap liquids inside which will slowly seep out after plating and damage the part and possibly many other of your parts when packed together
Any such items need to be removed from your bulk order (let us examine). If still wish to leave for plating, these need to be supplied in a separate safe packaging to prevent any damage to your other items, as all your plating will go back in the same packaging as received, whenever possible. When delivering items for plating please use smaller batches, as any problematic items are easier to spot / pull out.
Examples of the most common problematic items:
- any types of cylinders
- tubes and hoses
- misc. welded brackets; discs or plates welded together
- rubber hoses
- polythene /rubber bushes
- fuel rails, etc.
Another issue can be extensive rust on items. This can cause patched/missed eating in badly damaged areas as well as dents/ holes into the base metal caused by necessary long cleaning / pickling process in order to prepare for plating. This can be helped by polishing/ wire brushing blasting before plating. Please note blasting will create pores into the metal which will make the item look 'matt' compared to a shiney polished/ clean new steel item.
Another common issue is heavily soiled/greased items. Please ensure you remove any thick grease / thick cutting oils beforehand, as this may cause issues with pretreatment and subsequently the plating itself / the items or parts of may not plate at all.
Often you may have items that have been painted over; this would be required to be removed before plating. It is something we can offer in-house; however, this will increase costs and lead-times, so please be aware.
We currently do not offer any plating process to plate on stainless steel material.
Our customers' satisfaction is our priority. we aim to deliver the best quality plating with fast turnaround. But we may need a little cooperation from you to succeed.
Below are shown a few samples of problematic items and what can happen to them after plating. We hope you find this useful.
If it has been plated in the past, and has any of these elements, we'll need to look at the item. Newly manufactured items again will need to have a visual inspection before we attempt any type of plating on them. Our trained staff will be happy to look at these for you.
WORKING WITH YOUR PLATERS
Electroplating and electroless plating are crucial processes for ensuring a successful outcome in many manufacturing and fabricating operations. Plating provides the essential “finishing touch” that protects the workpiece against destructive forces such as corrosion, extreme temperatures and wear, while also enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
Working closely with your plating services provider is key to attaining the results you expect from the process. Establishing and maintaining an open line of communication throughout the process ensures a clear exchange of ideas and eliminates any confusion that too often leads to an unsatisfactory project. It’s important to develop a dialogue with your plater that encompasses the following areas:
- Choice of plating material: It’s possible to perform plating and finishing with a wide range of metals. Explore several options with your plating provider and choose the one that offers the best match for your substrate material, budget, and desired outcome.
- Component size, shape and composition: Ask about your plater’s experience working with your unique parts. Make sure your plating provider has the capability to produce quality results for the specific size, shape and composition of your substrate. This is especially important if you are plating unusual or odd-shaped parts, components with uneven or recessed surfaces or workpieces containing interlocking or welded components.
- Testing procedures: Discuss the testing methods implemented by your plater to ensure the quality of the process prior to executing a full-scale production run. Testing will identify potential trouble spots that could negatively impact the long-term performance of the coating.
- Timeframe: Make sure you’re on the same page with your plating provider in terms of project completion time. While quality is important, it’s value is diminished if the plater cannot deliver the finished workpieces in a timely manner, as it will hinder your ability to maintain your tight production schedules. Work with your plater to establish a realistic project timeline, while delivering your items early and leaving room for unexpected issues that could result in delays.
- Specifications: Be sure to include technical standards, or specifications, as much as possible when requesting a quote or placing an order. Specifications, such as BS EN ISO help the platers to understand your desired functionality and final product. Complete, well-documented specifications are a safeguard for both parties to ensure a functional, complete project.