The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Inconsistent color/finish

We are experiencing a problem with inconsistent color and finish. The customer demands that the finish be of the same color and finish. They don't care if the finish is dull or bright just that it is consistent. The part is a spacer manufactured out of 1018 which is carburized, quenched and tempered. The inconsistency seems to be caused by the oil and scale left on the part after the heat treat process. We have spoken with the plater and even tried wheelabrating the parts prior to plating, but the finish is still coming out the same. The plating is zinc with a yellow dichromate finish.

Patrick Carr
Machine shop - Winona, Minnesota
2005

---

Wheelabrading or mass finishing (Tumbling, vibratory finishing) should allow the plater to produce uniform finish. You may need to find a plater who does both mechanical finishing and plating.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2005

adv.