Automotive Plating Services
The automotive industry sees demand for everything from functional to decorative plating. Metal finishing is a critical step in this supply chain, and choosing the right plating partner can affect production schedules and part quality.
Saporito Finishing is an ISO-certified metal finishing company that has provided automotive plating services since 1946, including zinc plating, zinc nickel plating, chrome plating, anodizing, and electroless nickel. Learn more about our automotive zinc plating services, anodizing for aluminum components, and what sets our facility apart as a quality-certified partner for automotive suppliers.
High-Performance Metal Finishing for the Automotive Industry
Automotive parts can encounter road salt, moisture, heat, constant mechanical load, and other harsh conditions. At Saporito Finishing, we can effectively process steel, aluminum, and other metals to meet high performance standards for the industry. Common automotive components we can plate include:
- Fasteners and threaded hardware
- Brake and suspension brackets
- Engine seals, brackets, and underhood fittings
- Hinges, pins, and steering and airbag components
- Tubing and hydraulic connectors
Our plating lines maintain controlled bath chemistry, with testing, salt spray, and other process control checks that we can use to confirm each lot meets specifications.
Automotive Zinc Plating Services for Superior Corrosion Resistance
For steel automotive parts, zinc-based finishes deliver corrosion protection at the most competitive price point in the market. Our automotive zinc plating services include standard zinc, zinc-nickel alloy, and black zinc nickel for components requiring protection.
Zinc plating lays a layer of zinc over steel. When the surface is compromised, the zinc corrodes in place of the steel underneath to protect the base metal. This makes it a practical, cost-effective choice for fasteners, brackets, and other components facing abrasion or harsh operating environments. Chromate conversion coating can extend service life, with options for general use, salt spray resistance, or for parts where appearance is a specification requirement alongside corrosion performance.
Many automotive OEMs specify zinc-nickel for brake, suspension, and engine components that are directly exposed to harsh weather and road chemicals. Zinc and zinc-nickel are both effective over steel, and zinc-nickel offers protection for parts in the most aggressive environments. Black zinc-nickel combines that protection level with a matte black finish and is a cost-effective alternative for underhood parts where both corrosion performance and visual consistency are of high importance.
Anodizing and Plating for Critical Automotive Components
Anodizing is a standard surface treatment for aluminum parts as their use in automotive assemblies grows. The process converts the surface into a hard aluminum oxide layer that does not peel or chip under thermal cycling or vibration. We offer sulfuric anodizing, hardcoat anodizing for components subject to friction or abrasion, and dyed anodizing where color identification is among the specifications.
For aluminum or steel components with complex geometries, electroless nickel plating deposits an even thickness across recessed areas, blind holes, and internal passages that electroplating cannot consistently reach. We develop processes specific to each part profile, so that coverage is complete and parts come back without unplated points.
An ISO 9001 Certified Partner for Automotive Suppliers
At Saporito Finishing, our ISO 9001:2015 certification covers the full quality management system, from incoming material through final inspection. We also hold NADCAP accreditation for chemical processing. Automotive suppliers who source from us get quality documentation and traceability built into every order, without having to chase it down.
All of our automotive plating services, from zinc and zinc-nickel to electroless nickel, anodize, hard coat anodize, and chromate conversion, are completed in-house. Our high-capacity plating lines process volume orders without extended queues. Additionally, our Chicago-area location and company-owned delivery fleet keep lead times predictable for Midwest manufacturers.
What suppliers get when they partner with us includes the following:
- ISO-certified quality management with testing and documentation
- NADCAP accreditation for chemical processing
- Zinc, zinc-nickel, electroless nickel, anodize, and chem film, all processed in-house
- Patented racking for tubes, blind holes, and complex geometries
- Company-owned fleet delivery across the Chicagoland area
Contact our team or request a quote to discuss pricing and turnaround for your automotive plating program.