Metal finishing services

Often used as an alternative to liquid paint, powder coating provides a chemical and scratch-resistant surface that’s both durable and attractive. Dry colour powders are applied using an electrostatically-charged spray before being ‘baked’ in a special oven. The heat cures the coating to create a hard finish that’s much tougher than traditional paint.

Wet paint spraying is the process of applying liquid paint to an item for finishing. After the surface has been cleaned and prepared, a spray or pump is used to apply the liquid paint evenly until the material is coated to the required thickness.

Shot blasting is an abrasive cleaning process that’s used to remove contaminants and surface debris from a material. Abrasive shot media are placed into a blast wheel which then propels them at high velocity against the material to be finished.

Grinding and deburring are common methods used to remove raised edges or burrs from a piece of metal. They’re often performed following machining operations such as turning and milling, which can leave sharp edges and flaws on the surface of the material.

Abrasive belts or discs are used to remove oxidation, scratches and other imperfections from the surface of a metal, enhancing its overall quality and appearance.

Designed to remove rough edges and defects, vibratory finishing and tumbling are used to treat a large number of workpieces in one go. The workpieces are first placed into a vibratory tumbler along with specially shaped abrasive media pellets. The machine then vibrates, causing powerful collisions between the media and the workpiece to achieve a smooth finish.

Galvanising is a finishing process in which a metal (often steel) is coated with a layer of molten zinc. Zinc is renowned for its resistance to rust and corrosion, making galvanising ideally suited to items that will be exposed to rain and adverse weather.

Anodising is a technique in which a material, usually aluminium, is submerged in an electrolyte solution that has a current running through it. The process results in a thick oxide coating forming over the metal, increasing its corrosive-resistant capabilities.

The electroplating process uses an electric current to coat one metal with another. This acts as a protective barrier and helps to protect the metal against corrosion and environmental conditions. It can also be used to harden the surface of the substrate material and, in some cases, improve its electrical conductivity.  

Chemical blackening is the process of adding a black oxide finish to a metal part. It provides no dimensional change and can be used to minimise light glare, protect against corrosion and improve the decorative finish.

Hard anodising is an electrolyte process in which a thick oxide coating is added to a metal, usually aluminium and its alloys. The technique creates a hard protective layer which increases the metal’s resistance to wear and corrosion.

Effectively the reverse of electroplating, electropolishing uses an electrochemical solution to remove the outer skin of a metal part. This process strips away imperfections and burrs to leave a smoother and more uniform surface.