MAKENEXAAnodizing and conversion coatings
Aluminum protection, appearance, wear or pretreatment needs.
Review alloy, finish type, color, thickness, masking and electrical contact.Surface finishing
Anodizing, plating, coating and mechanical finishes for custom parts
Name the base material, finish spec, mask zones and cosmetic faces. MakeNexa reviews pretreatment, buildup, appearance and records before confirming a finish route—so threads, grounding pads and mating surfaces are not guessed later.
Start this RFQ Review the route
Need finishing on a custom part?Send the base process package and finish notes for reviewed routing.
Get a QuoteDecision guide
A finish is part of the engineering definition
The same finish name can describe different specifications, colors, thicknesses and acceptance methods. Begin with the base material and the reason for the finish: corrosion protection, wear, conductivity, appearance, cleaning, paint adhesion or a combination of these.
Mark surfaces that must be masked, grounded, fitted, sealed or kept cosmetic. If color or texture matters, provide a recognized specification or physical reference and define the acceptable variation. The reviewed quote confirms compatibility, supplier route and documentation for the actual part.
Route options
Representative finish families
Availability depends on substrate, geometry, required performance, color and supplier route.
Plating and chemical treatments
Corrosion, wear, conductivity, solderability or surface preparation.
Review substrate, specification, thickness, rack/contact marks and hydrogen concerns.Powder and liquid coating
Durable color or protective coating on metal components.
Review color system, gloss, texture, coverage, masking, cure exposure and packaging.Mechanical and cosmetic finishing
Bead blasting, brushing, tumbling, polishing and controlled surface preparation.
Review initial surface, directional appearance, edge condition and protected features.Decision table
Finish requirements to place on the drawing
A controlled finish note reduces subjective interpretation.
| Requirement | Useful definition | Review impact |
|---|---|---|
| Specification | Finish name plus type, class and thickness: MIL-A-8625 for anodize, ASTM B633 for zinc, ASTM B733 for electroless nickel, ASTM A967 for passivation, ASTM B912 for electropolishing | Identifies process controls and the records that can ship with the parts |
| Thickness added | Powder 50 to 100 µm per surface, Type II anodize 5 to 25 µm growing about half outward, Type III 25 to 50 µm, zinc 5 to 25 µm, electroless nickel 5 to 50 µm | The thickest common finish is the one most likely to bind a thread or a fit |
| Material removed | Electropolishing takes 10 to 40 µm off the surface; passivation and chem film take effectively nothing | Removal has to be allowed for on threads and precision bores |
| Coverage and masking | All-over, selected surfaces, masked areas, threads and contact points. Powder misses deep recesses through the Faraday cage effect | Changes fixturing, masking and inspection |
| Electrical behaviour | Anodize and powder both insulate; chem film under 1 µm stays conductive | Every grounding and bonding path must be identified |
| Appearance | Cosmetic zones, colour reference, gloss and defect criteria. Bead blasting gives Ra 1.6 to 3.2 µm; a colour code fixes hue but not gloss or texture | Supply a controlled reference where appearance is contractual |
| Corrosion testing | Salt spray to ASTM B117: yellow-chromated zinc commonly 96 hours and beyond, pretreated powder on steel 500 to 1000 hours | Test hours are a comparative benchmark, not a service-life prediction |
| Process temperature | Powder cures at 180 to 200 °C for 10 to 20 minutes, which exceeds bearings, seals, elastomers and electronics | Decides which components are installed before finishing |
Preparation
Finish planning checks
Include these when the surface affects function or appearance.
01Base alloy or polymer is compatible with the requested finish
02Threads, bores, seals and electrical contacts are identified
03Cosmetic faces have an acceptance reference
04Coating buildup is considered in fits and tolerances
05Pre-finish tool marks or welds have a defined condition
06Packaging prevents part-to-part cosmetic damage
Frequently asked questions
Questions to resolve before quotation
Use the submitted quote and written clarification as the project-specific record.
Can I request a finish by color name alone?
A color name may help early review, but controlled appearance normally needs a recognized color system, range or physical reference plus gloss and cosmetic criteria.
Should dimensions be inspected before or after finishing?
State the intended condition for each critical feature. Coating buildup or material removal can change dimensions, so the measurement stage must match function.
Can MakeNexa finish parts made by another supplier?
Potentially. Describe the incoming part condition, quantity, material, packaging and any existing records. The route is confirmed after the finish supplier reviews the parts and requirements.
Are finish certificates always available?
No. Specify which certificate, test or process record you need. Availability and format are confirmed with the selected supplier before commitment.
Ready for review
Send the files, requirements and open questions together
You will receive a stable RFQ reference. MakeNexa will assess the package, request clarification when needed and return a reviewed quote or clear next action.