Zinc Plating
The workhorse finish: sacrificial corrosion protection for steel.
Zinc plating is the industry standard for protecting steel from rust. Unlike decorative finishes that simply cover the surface, zinc protects sacrificially — it corrodes preferentially so the steel underneath does not, continuing to protect the part even where the coating is scratched or cut.
The process electrodeposits a uniform zinc layer onto the prepared steel, followed by a chromate conversion coating (passivate) that multiplies corrosion resistance and sets the appearance: clear-blue for a bright silvery finish, or yellow iridescent where maximum protection matters more than looks.
Zinc is a volume finish by nature — fasteners, brackets, stampings, and hardware are typically plated by the hundreds or thousands. That fits exactly how our lab is built: scheduled production capacity, consistent bath chemistry, and repeatable results across a full run.
Properties & Benefits
Sacrificial corrosion protection
Zinc is more electrochemically active than steel, so it corrodes first — protecting exposed edges, drill points, and scratches that barrier coatings leave vulnerable.
Passivate options
Clear (blue-bright) passivate for a clean silver look, or yellow iridescent chromate where salt-spray hours are the priority. Both dramatically extend the life of the zinc layer.
Dimensional consistency
Typical zinc deposits are thin and uniform, preserving thread fit and tolerances on fasteners and machined parts.
Cost-effective at volume
The most economical electroplated finish per part — designed for production quantities, not just one-offs.
Common Applications
- Fasteners & hardware: bolts, nuts, washers, clips, springs, brackets
- Automotive: chassis hardware, underbody brackets, fittings, restoration fasteners
- Industrial & manufacturing: stampings, weldments, enclosures, machine components
- Construction: anchors, structural connectors, threaded rod
Specifications
We plate zinc to specified thicknesses per ASTM B633 service-condition classes, with clear or yellow chromate passivate. Salt-spray performance targets are confirmed with your quote — tell us the environment the parts live in and we'll recommend a class.
Our Process for This Service
Steel parts are degreased, acid-pickled to remove scale and rust, and activated before zinc electrodeposition under controlled current. The passivate conversion coating is applied immediately after plating, then parts are dried and inspected before packing.
See the full six-step process →
Turnaround & Volume
Production lots are our specialty — scheduled capacity with confirmed completion dates. Small batches and single parts are welcome within the standard service minimum.
Pricing
$500 minimum, $100 per square inch. Every quote is confirmed from photos. See pricing details.
Related: automotive · electronics · surface preparation · plating on different metals