Frequently Asked Questions

Standard turnaround for most zinc, nickel and powder coating services is 3-5 business days from the date of receipt. Chrome plating typically requires 5-7 business days due to the additional processing steps involved. Rush service is available for time-critical projects for an additional fee. Large production runs may require additional time depending on scheduling and quantity.

Yes, we provide free quotes for all projects. For simple projects, we can often provide a quote over the phone or via email based on your description. For more complex work or large quantities, we may need to see the parts to provide an accurate quote. We also offer free estimates for projects over $500.

We can plate most conductive metals, including steel, iron, stainless steel, copper, brass and bronze. The part must be able to withstand the plating process chemicals and temperatures. We handle everything from small fasteners to large fabricated components. Contact us with specific questions about your parts.

Generally, no. For the best results, we need to plate over bare metal. Existing chrome, paint or other coatings must be completely stripped before plating. We can strip most old finishes chemically or mechanically as part of our service. This ensures proper adhesion and prevents delamination issues down the road.

Decorative chrome is what you see on car bumpers and trim — a thin, brilliant finish that's primarily aesthetic. It's actually a multi-layer system (copper + nickel + chrome) built for appearance and moderate corrosion protection. Hard chrome is a thick, dense coating (0.001" to 0.010"+) applied for wear resistance, not looks. It's used on hydraulic rods, molds, dies and industrial components.

Standard zinc plating is typically 0.0003" to 0.0005" (3-5 mils). For enhanced corrosion resistance, we recommend 0.0005" to 0.001" (5-10 mils). The appropriate thickness depends on your environment — parts exposed to road salt, fertilizers or marine environments benefit from heavier plating. We can plate to your specific thickness requirements.

Yes, we provide certification packages for quality-critical applications. This includes thickness test reports, process documentation and salt spray test results (ASTM B117). Additional fees apply for certification packages. Please let us know your certification requirements when requesting a quote.

Electroless nickel is applied chemically (without electricity), creating a uniform coating regardless of geometry — inside holes, threads and recesses get the same thickness as external surfaces. It's ideal for hydraulic manifolds, valve bodies, pump components and any part with complex geometry. It also offers excellent hardness and corrosion resistance.

Yes, aluminum can be powder coated. In fact, it's one of the most common applications. The aluminum must be properly pre-treated (chemically cleaned and etched) to ensure good adhesion. We use appropriate pretreatment processes for aluminum to ensure the powder coating lasts.

We're located in Sherman, Texas, and serve the entire North Texas region including Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney, Gainesville, Denton and surrounding areas. We also ship parts nationally for customers who have come to rely on our quality and service. Contact us for shipping information.

Parts should be as clean as possible — free from heavy oil, grease or excessive dirt. This helps our pretreatment process work more effectively. If parts have old plating, paint or coatings you want stripped, that's fine — we handle that. Just remove any non-metallic parts (rubber grommets, plastic inserts) that might not survive the process.

We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). For established commercial accounts, we also offer net-30 billing subject to credit approval. Payment is due at the time of pickup for non-account customers.