Surface Finishing
Anodizing Type II and Type III, electroplating in nickel, chrome or zinc, powder coating, mirror polishing, brushed finish and passivation for stainless steel.
Why This Service Exists
Finish decides how the part looks, how it wears and what it costs to reject. It is chosen with the material, not after the part is already cut.
The Problem
A finish picked late can change a fit, hide a machining flaw or fail on the wrong substrate — stainless powder coated instead of passivated, or a tight bore anodized after it was cut to size.
What You Get
The finish is matched to the alloy and to the tolerances on the drawing, so critical dimensions still measure correctly after the part comes back from the finishing line.
Built For These Projects
- Designers choosing between a hard-wearing and a cosmetic finish
- EDC and prop brands matching colour across a batch
- Teams needing stainless parts passivated rather than coated
- Anyone whose last batch came back with a finish that changed the fit
Surface Finishing At A Glance
Figures below are the ones GRACTS publishes. Anything marked TBC is confirmed against your drawing before you order.
| Anodizing | Type II and Type III |
|---|---|
| Electroplating | Nickel, chrome, zinc |
| Powder coating | Available on suitable substrates |
| Polishing | Mirror polish |
| Brushed | Brushed finish |
| Stainless treatment | Passivation |
| Colour matching | TBC — send a reference or sample with the order |
| Minimum order quantity | 1 piece |
| Standard lead time | 7–10 business days including finishing |
How The Work Runs
Finish Selection
The finish is checked against the alloy — anodizing for aluminum, passivation for stainless, plating or coating where appropriate.
Dimension Allowance
Where a finish adds thickness, the machined size accounts for it before cutting.
Masking
Threads, bores and datum faces that must stay bare are masked before the part goes in.
Finishing
Parts are processed as a batch so colour and texture stay consistent.
Post-Finish Check
Masked features and critical dimensions are re-checked after finishing.
Surface Finishing Questions
What surface finishes do you offer?
Anodizing (Type II and Type III), electroplating in nickel, chrome or zinc, powder coating, mirror polishing, brushed finish, and passivation for stainless steel.
Can you anodize a part to a specific colour?
Send a reference or a sample with the order. Exact colour matching is confirmed case by case before production starts.
Does anodizing change my dimensions?
It adds thickness. Tell us which dimensions are critical and they will be machined with an allowance for the finish.
Should stainless steel be coated or passivated?
Passivation is the standard treatment offered for stainless steel. Coating is possible where the design calls for colour rather than corrosion behaviour.
Related Pages
Capability
CNC Milling
3-axis and multi-axis milling for prismatic housings, chassis blocks and flanged bodies in aluminum, brass and stainless steel.
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Capability
Precision Engraving
Fine machining and engraving for parts where detail, geometry and appearance carry the design — fins, flutes, cut-outs, logos and marked faces.
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Capability
CNC Turning
Turned bodies, sleeves, emitters, bushings and threaded fittings in brass, aluminum and stainless steel, with knurling and threading in the same setup.
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Other Applications
EDC Components
Precision-machined components for custom EDC projects, prototypes and small-batch products.
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Other Applications
Custom Prop Components
Detailed metal components for original props, collectibles and creator-led projects.
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Process Guide
Surface Finish Options Compared
Anodizing, plating, powder coating, polishing, brushing and passivation — what each one suits, and what it does to your dimensions.
Read the guide →Ready To Quote Your Surface Finishing Job
Send a STEP, IGES, DXF or PDF with quantity, material and finish. A detailed surface finishing quote comes back within 24 hours.