Metal Finishes: Choosing the Ideal Technique for Your Custom Orders

If you are planning on ordering custom metal goods from an experienced steel fabricator, you should think about your finishing options before sending in your requests. In general, a good surface finish will enhance the visual appeal of your products. The finishing layer will also improve the performance properties. For example, the finish can minimise corrosion and tarnishing, and it can increase the durability of the custom item. If you are not familiar with the best finishes for metal products, consider this brief outline before making your choice.

Metal Plating

If you are interested in changing the appearance of the fabricated product entirely, you should consider choosing metal plating as your finishing process. As implied, this process involves coating the fabrication material entirely with another metal. In a typical metal plating process, the product will be dipped in a bath filled with molten metal. The resulting finish will be thick and resilient. It is not suited for all products, but the method will cause an improvement of most physical and chemical properties.

Powder Coating

Powder coating is a favoured finishing process in the metal fabrication industry. If you would like to have your goods coated with a resilient layer at an affordable price, this is the ideal method. As suggested, the technique involves applying a free-flowing powder on the metal surfaces. The powder is made of plastic, and it is cured using heat. The resulting polymeric coating is resistant to corrosion and chemical damage. Moreover, you can choose the most appealing colour to match your preferences. 

Blackening

You should consider choosing hot blackening as your finishing method for a matte surface. This technique is popular in the fabrication of tools, equipment arts and even firearms. In general, the process involves the creation of a black oxide on the surfaces of the custom items. During the procedure, the product is exposed to high temperature as well as numerous chemicals such as caustics, cleaners and coolants for the development of the oxide. The resulting finish is resilient and has high abrasion resistance.

Polishing

If you are interested in a non-textured finish for your goods, you should think about asking you manufacturer to polish your custom items. The polishing process aims to eliminate surface blemishes such as high spots and weld slags without changing the inherent properties of the final product. The finishing process might involve the use of grinding, polishing and buffing machine. The choice of equipment will determine the appeal level. So, you should discuss your expectations with your fabricator.

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