Vacuum Metallizing vs Electroplating

Vacuum metallizing on mouldings

Moulded PP and ABS parts are coated on two vacuum metallizing lines. The metal layer is deposited under vacuum and then lacquered. It gives a bright gold, silver or bronze at low weight and low cost, and it is the standard finish for corners, lugs, plastic handles and ornaments.

Polishing and electroplating on zamak

Zamak castings take a different route. They are polished first, because plating amplifies whatever surface is underneath, then electroplated in gold, antique brass, antique copper or nickel. Skipping the polishing stage is what causes flow lines to show through a plated handle.

Matching the two

The difficulty is that the same nominal colour can read differently on a metallized moulding and on an electroplated casting. Matching is done against one approved physical reference, compared under the same light, which is the only reliable method. A customer specifically noted that corners and swing bars in different materials came back in the same colour.

Keeping colour across reorders

The approved sample stays on file and later production is compared to it. Approving a new sample each time is what causes drift across a year of orders.

Protecting the finish

Both finishes mark if parts rub together in transit, which is why every piece is bagged and steel bars are packed separately.