Understanding the Metal Finishing Process From Start to Finish
When most people think of metal finishing, they picture the final result: a clean, uniform coating that looks great and performs well. But what actually goes into achieving that finish?
At Giering Metal Finishing, we follow a detailed, multi-step process that ensures each part meets three critical objectives: correct color, proper thickness, and long-term adhesion. These aren’t just goals—they’re expectations our customers rely on.
Here’s a breakdown of the full finishing process, from raw metal to completed part.
Step 1: Cleaning the Surface
Every successful finish starts with surface preparation. That means removing any contaminants—oils, machining fluids, dirt, or debris—that can interfere with coating adhesion.
Cleaning is the first and most important step because even the best coating can fail if it’s applied over a contaminated surface. We use a range of cleaning methods based on the material and condition of the part to ensure it’s completely clean and ready for treatment.
Step 2: Applying a Pre-Treatment
After cleaning, we go one step further with conversion coatings—also known as pre-treatments.
This step chemically conditions the surface, adding a slight texture and creating a foundation that improves how the final coating bonds to the metal. Without proper pre-treatment, the finish may not adhere properly, leading to flaking or premature wear.
This extra step is what often separates average finishers from those committed to quality. It’s how we help ensure your coating doesn’t just look good—it lasts.
Step 3: Applying the Finish
Once the part is cleaned and pre-treated, it’s ready for finishing. Depending on your needs, we apply one or more of the following:
- Powder coating for durable, high-performance protection with a wide range of color and texture options
- Electrocoating (e-coat) for corrosion resistance and complete coverage, even in hard-to-reach areas
- Liquid paint for color matching, cosmetic appearance, and precise control over film thickness
- Screen printing for labeling, branding, or marking parts with logos, instructions, or serial numbers
We tailor the finishing method to your material, performance requirements, and application environment.
Our Focus: Color, Thickness, and Adhesion
As George Giering puts it:
“We have three critical things in metal finishing—we have to make sure it’s the right color, it’s the right thickness, and it sticks.”
That’s what every part that leaves our facility is checked against. Whether we’re finishing a small prototype or a full production run, our team focuses on these core standards to ensure your coating performs exactly as intended.
Ready to Start a Project?
Whether you're new to metal finishing or looking for a partner that can manage complex specs and tight tolerances, Giering Metal Finishing is here to guide you through every step.
