When should I specify a finish during the design process?

Specify finishing requirements early in design. Early selection can reduce rework, improve lead times, and ensure your fabrication process and tolerances align with the required surface condition and coating build.

What sheet metal surface finish options do you support?

Chapco supports common surface finishes including standard mill, orbital sanding, stainless steel polishing, cosmetic grinding, vibratory tumbling, deburring, and Time Save finishing.

What coating and plating services are available?

Common coating and plating options include powder coat and e-coat, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, anodizing (clear or color), chromate conversion (clear or yellow), passivation, and tin or silver plating.

Do you offer hardware insertion and fastening services?

Yes. Hardware insertion options include PEM standard fasteners, custom hardware, auto-feed PEM solutions, and installation of POP, spin rivets, rivets, and riv-nuts.

Can you provide part identification and marking?

Yes. Part identification options include laser etching, metal stamping, ink stamping, vibratory etching, and additional marking methods such as silk screening and dot peen where required.

Do you provide contract assembly along with finishing?

Yes. Chapco offers finishing and add-ons as part of a turn-key workflow and can support contract assembly needs, including mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies, under Chapco’s direction.

Are any finishing and add-on services performed through partners or subcontractors?

Some specialized services are carried out under Chapco’s direction by trusted collaborative companies on-site or by qualified subcontractors to provide a turn-key solution.

Finishing & Add-Ons

For a turn-key operation

Sheet Metal Finishing and Contract Assembly Services

Q: Why is sheet metal finishing important for engineered parts?

Finishing is functional, not just cosmetic. The right finish can improve corrosion resistance, conductivity, durability, appearance, and compliance—helping protect product performance in the field.

Finishing isn’t cosmetic — it’s functional. For engineers, finishing impacts corrosion resistance, conductivity, durability, appearance, compliance, and long-term performance. Selecting the right finishing process early in design can reduce rework, improve lead times, and protect your product in the field. At Chapco, finishing is integrated into our fabrication and contract manufacturing workflow — not treated as an afterthought. This guide outlines the most common finishing options, when to specify them, and how to design smarter from the start.

Assemblies

Hardware

Mechanical*

Electrical*

Electro-mechanical*

Hydraulic*

Pneumatic*

Electro-magnetic*

* services are carried out under Chapco’s direction by our collaborative companies on site at 12 Bridge St., Connecticut.

Sheet Metal Surface Finishes

Standard mill

Orbital sanded

Stainless steel polished

Cosmetic grinding

Vibratory tumble

Deburring

Time Save

Hardware Insertion

PEM standard fastners

Custom Hartware

PEMS with auto-feed solution

POP, Spin, Rivets, and Riv-Nuts

Sheet Metal Coating & Plating*

Powder coat/E coat

Hot dipped galvanized

Black Oxide

Anodized (clear/all colors)

Chromate conversion (clear/yellow)

Passivation (clear)

Tin and silver plating

* services are carried out under Chapco’s direction by our trusted sub-contractors to provide you with a turn-key service

Part Identification

Silk screen*

Laser etching

Metal stamping

Ink stamping

Dot Preen*

Vibratory etch