Surfaces Finishes
Available Surface Finishes for Your Selection
Surface finishing techniques for parts can serve either functional or aesthetic purposes. Each method has specific requirements regarding material, color, texture, and cost. Below are the specifications for the plastic finishing techniques we provide.
FUMING's Finishes
FUMING’s instant quoting platform enables users to customize materials, features, finishes, and add notes for their manufacturing projects. We offer a variety of standard finishing options that are priced instantly online. For more specialized needs, you can specify multiple finishes per part—we are your one-stop solution. Explore the finishes we offer and view examples in the sections below.
If you are interested in a specific finishing or post-processing option not listed, you can contact us directly or select the “Other” finish option during quoting to detail your needs and request a manual review.
Popular Finishes for Metal
The part is cleaned and deburred. No surface finishing is applied.
Type II anodizing enhances corrosion resistance and can serve as a base for paint and other finishes. Thickness ranges from 0.0002″ to 0.0012″. It complies with MIL-A-8625 Type II, Class 2.
Color anodizing uses dyes to alter the part’s surface color. Anodized colors cannot be matched to specific Pantone or RAL references. Type II coatings are wear‑prone and may fade under prolonged direct sunlight.
Type III hardcoat anodizing produces a thicker, more durable, and wear‑resistant layer compared to standard anodizing. It can serve as a base for paint and other finishes. Due to the coating thickness, colors tend to appear slightly darker, and anodized colors cannot be matched to specific Pantone or RAL references. Typical thickness is 0.002″, conforming to MIL‑A‑8625, Type III, Class 1/2.
Although unpigmented, clear hardcoat anodizing will darken the part surface because of its greater thickness relative to standard anodizing. Depending on various factors, the natural color may range from light to dark gray or brown.
Chromate conversion coatings, also called chem-film, improve corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity, and can serve as a base for paint. Chem-film adds minimal thickness—approximately 0.00001″–0.00004″—and conforms to MIL‑DTL‑5541, Type I/II, Class 1A or Class 3 as specified. If other standards such as MIL‑DTL‑81706 are required, please specify them in the provided drawing.
Type I chromate conversion coatings contain hexavalent chromium, giving them a typical gold or brown appearance. Type II is free of hexavalent chromium, resulting in a clear coating that does not alter the part’s surface color.
Powder coating provides a uniform, protective colored finish through an evenly applied, heat‑cured paint process. Typical thickness ranges from 0.006″ to 0.012″, and it conforms to ASTM D7803 as well as various MIL and FDE specifications. A variety of colors and sheens are available.
View our complete selection of powder coating finishes in our powder coat finishes gallery.
Other Metal Finishes We Offer
Black oxide is a conversion coating used on ferrous materials such as steel and stainless steel, which darkens the surface layer. It helps reduce glare and reflection while providing additional corrosion resistance, all without altering part dimensions.
Electropolishing is an electrochemical process that cleans steel parts to reduce corrosion and enhance appearance by brightening the metal. It removes approximately 0.0001″ to 0.0025″ of material and complies with ASTM B912‑02.
Heat treatment improves the material properties of metal parts. This includes processes such as heat treating, annealing, and other thermal treatments. Please specify the required treatment in the “Notes” section or an attached drawing. Compliant with ASTM B917 (aluminum alloys) or AMS‑H‑6875 / AMS 2759 (steels).
A colorless coating that enhances corrosion resistance for 200 and 300 series, as well as precipitation‑hardened corrosion‑resistant steels, by removing free iron from the surface. Coating thickness is negligible, approximately 0.0000001″. Compliant with ASTM A967, AMS‑QQ‑P‑35, MIL‑STD‑171, ASTM A380, or AMS 2700.
Electroless nickel plating applies a uniform nickel coating that protects against corrosion, oxidation, and wear, particularly on irregular surfaces. The finished part will have a brighter appearance. Thickness starts from 0.0001″ and conforms to ASTM‑B733, Type IV, SC1, Class 1 (default), or to AMS‑2404 (formerly AMS‑C‑26074/MIL‑C‑26074) if specified. For other nickel plating options, please select “Other” as the finish and request a manual quote.
Gold plating offers excellent corrosion and tarnish resistance. Gold features low contact resistance, strong conductivity, and good solderability, while giving parts a golden appearance. The default specification is MIL‑G‑45204 & ASTM B488, Class 00, 0, or 1 (thickness 0.00002″–0.00005″). Pricing and lead time are based on Type I, II, or III, Grade A, B, or C, and Class 00, 0, or 1 (thickness 0.00002″–0.00005″). For gold plating thicker than 0.00005″, please select “Other” and request a manual quote.
Electroplated silver provides good corrosion resistance but tarnishes easily. It offers high solderability and electrical conductivity, while giving the part a silver appearance. The coating thickness is approximately 0.00002″ to 0.0003″ and conforms to AMS QQ‑S‑365D.
Zinc plating provides corrosion resistance by applying a metal coating to conductive materials. It is commonly used on carbon steels and other rust-prone alloys. The plating conforms to ASTM B633‑15 Service Class I (SC1) specification, with a typical coating thickness of 0.0002″, resulting in a low‑gloss silver finish.
This is a batch process that uses vibrating media to remove sharp edges and burrs from machined parts. Tumbling can also eliminate machining marks from exterior surfaces, creating a more uniform appearance. Parts larger than 8″ may require manual review.
Powder coating provides a uniform, protective colored finish applied evenly and heat-cured onto parts. Thickness typically ranges from 0.006″ to 0.012″ and conforms to ASTM D7803, as well as various MIL and FDE specifications. A variety of colors and sheens are available.
View all our powder coating options in our powder coat finishes gallery.
Provides a continuous, protective colored finish applied by spraying or hand‑brushing using water‑based or solvent‑based paint.
FUMING can accommodate many custom finishing options. Select “Other” in the finishing dropdown when configuring your online quote to request finishes such as:
- Tin Plating
- Copper Plating
- Adhesive Primers / BR‑127 / CARC
- Thin Film Lubricants
- Zinc Phosphate Coatings
- Precision / Ultrasonic / Oxygen Service Cleaning
- Magnetic Particle Inspection
- Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection
- Ultrasonic Inspection
- Cadmium Plating
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Finish Masking
- And More!
Plastic Injection Molding Surface Finishes
FUMING has access to a wide network of molding suppliers and all standard mold finishing options. Mold finishes can range from glossy to matte to even textured patterns. The finish applied to the mold cavity surface is transferred directly to the molded part. For instance, a polished, reflective mold surface will produce a reflective or transparent part.
Mold finishes differ from those applied to CNC machined or 3D printed parts, where each piece is treated individually. Adding a texture or finish may affect tooling cost depending on the required process, but it does not change the per‑part price.
Our standard mold finishes include:
Society of Plastics Industry (SPI) Mold Finishes
Mold‑Tech
VDI
Injection Molding Finishes – In Detail
SPI A‑1
Diamond buffed with #3 grade, 6000 grit for a highly polished finish. Suitable for optically clear parts. Average surface roughness: 0.012–0.025 µm Ra.
SPI A‑2
Diamond buffed with #6 grade, 3000 grit for a high‑polish finish. Suitable for transparent parts. Average surface roughness: 0.025–0.050 µm Ra.
SPI A‑3
Diamond buffed with #15 grade, 1200 grit for a medium‑to‑high polished finish. Suitable for non‑optical transparent parts. Average surface roughness: 0.050–0.100 µm Ra.
SPI B‑1
A 600‑grit sanded finish providing medium polish. Surface roughness: 0.05–0.10 µm Ra.
SPI B‑2
A 400‑grit sanded finish offering medium polish. Surface roughness: 0.10–0.15 µm Ra.
SPI B‑3
A 320‑grit sanded finish delivering medium‑to‑low polish. Surface roughness: 0.28–0.32 µm Ra.
SPI C‑1
A 600‑stone finish with low polish. Surface roughness: 0.35‑0.40 µm Ra.
SPI C‑2
A 400‑stone finish with low polish. Surface roughness: 0.45‑0.55 µm Ra.
SPI C‑3
A 320‑stone finish with low polish. Surface roughness: 0.63‑0.70 µm Ra.
SPI D‑1
Dry‑blasted with glass beads for a satin finish. Surface roughness: 0.80–1.00 µm Ra.
SPI D‑2
Dry‑blasted with #240 oxide for a dull finish. Surface roughness: 1.00–2.80 µm Ra.
SPI D‑3
Dry‑blasted with #24 oxide for a dull finish. Surface roughness: 3.20–18.00 µm Ra.
Standex Engraving Mold‑Tech is a standardized mold texturing solution, widely used for commercial and consumer products. Mold‑Tech finishes are classified into four series: A through D. The most commonly applied is Series A, which offers a range of fine to coarse matte finishes and does not require laser etching, masking, or other engineered texturing methods. Mold‑Tech finishes are identified by serial number and texture depth. Below are examples of popular Mold‑Tech finishes we offer.
MT‑11010
A dull matte finish with a texture depth of 0.001″.
MT‑11020
A coarse matte finish with a texture depth of 0.0015″.
MT‑11030
A coarse matte finish with a texture depth of 0.002″.
VDI 3400 Surface Finish (commonly called VDI texture) refers to the mold surface standard established by the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (Society of German Engineers). This finish is primarily achieved through Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) during mold processing. VDI is an international standard for matte‑surface texturing, producing a fine‑to‑coarse grain depending on the selected grade.
VDI 12
600‑stone low‑polish finish. Average surface roughness: 0.40 µm Ra.
VDI 15
400‑stone low‑polish finish. Average surface roughness: 0.56 µm Ra.
VDI 18
Glass‑bead‑blasted satin finish. Average surface roughness: 0.80 µm Ra.
VDI 21
#240‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 1.12 µm Ra.
VDI 24
#240‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 1.60 µm Ra.
VDI 27
#240‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 2.24 µm Ra.
VDI 30
#24‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 3.15 µm Ra.
VDI 33
#24‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 4.50 µm Ra.
VDI 36
#24‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 6.30 µm Ra.
VDI 39
#24‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 9.00 µm Ra.
VDI 42
#24‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 12.50 µm Ra.
VDI 45
#24‑oxide dry‑blasted dull finish. Average surface roughness: 18.00 µm Ra.
Urethane and Silicone Casting Surface Finishes
Urethane‑cast parts can be rigid, flexible, or rubber‑like, depending on the material formulation. We offer urethane in a variety of colors including transparent (standard), black, and custom color matching. Parts can also receive a standard smooth finish, or custom treatments such as painting and hardware installation.
Urethane and Silicone Casting Finish Options
A standard finish where the master pattern is lightly processed to produce a matte or frosted appearance on opaque and translucent materials.
The master pattern undergoes additional processing to create a smoother surface, resulting in a semi-gloss finish on the cast parts.
The master pattern is extensively polished to achieve a very smooth surface, resulting in glossy or clear cast parts.
A range of SPI and Mold-Tech mold finishes designed to replicate the appearance of injection molded parts.
FUMING can provide additional processes and finishes—including hardware installation, overmolding, and painting—to meet your specific needs. Please specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Popular 3D Printing Finishes
Vapor smoothing produces a uniform, sealed surface with a semi-gloss appearance. It can be combined with color dyeing. Click here to learn more about vapor smoothing.
This finish is standard for:
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
Parts are submerged in a dye solution that penetrates roughly ~0.010” into the surface, altering the surface’s color. Coloration may vary slightly from batch to batch.
A standard offering for:
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) — Black Only
Standard finish with a secondary copper and nickel plating process, applying a 0.004″–0.006″ nickel coating. Nickel plating enhances durability, stiffness, and wear resistance, though it is not considered a cosmetic finish. The result is a rough nickel surface.
This finish is standard for:
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
3D Printing Finishes by Process
Standard
Parts are de‑powdered using sandblasting and manual powder removal. The standard finish is a white matte with a sugar‑cube‑like texture.
Media Tumbled
Standard finish followed by abrasive media tumbling. This reduces layer lines and softens sharp edges, resulting in an eggshell finish.
Color Dyeing
Parts are immersed in a dye solution that penetrates roughly 0.010″ into the surface, changing its color. Slight batch‑to‑batch color variation is possible for all colors, including black.
Media Tumbled, Dyed Black
Dyed black finish with added abrasive media tumbling. This reduces layer lines and may soften sharp edges.
Vapor Smoothing
An automated post‑processing technology (AMT PostPro3D) that delivers a high‑quality surface finish. Vapor smoothing transforms most surfaces from matte to semi‑gloss, seals the part, enhances mechanical properties, and provides a consistent cosmetic finish suitable for production. Vapor‑smoothed parts can also be dyed.
Click here to learn more about vapor smoothing.
Nickel Plating
Standard finish with a secondary copper + nickel plating process, applying a 0.004″–0.006″ nickel coating. Nickel plating increases durability, stiffness, and wear resistance but is not considered cosmetic—the finish is rough nickel.
Other
FUMING offers additional HP Multi Jet Fusion finishing options such as sanding, painting, and plating to meet your requirements. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Standard
Parts are de‑powdered through sandblasting and manual cleaning. The standard finish is a gray matte surface with a sugar‑cube‑like texture.
Dyed Black
Parts are immersed in a dye solution that penetrates the surface, resulting in a dark color. While fairly consistent, slight batch‑to‑batch variation is possible.
Vapor Smoothing
An automated post‑processing technology (AMT PostPro3D) that produces a high‑quality surface finish. Vapor smoothing transitions most surfaces from matte to semi‑gloss, seals the part, enhances mechanical properties, and provides a consistent cosmetic finish suitable for production. Vapor‑smoothed parts can also be dyed.
Click here to learn more about vapor smoothing.
Other
FUMING offers additional finishing options for HP Multi Jet Fusion parts, such as sanding, painting, and plating. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Standard
Support material is removed and parts are cleaned. A uniform smooth matte to semi‑gloss surface is achieved.
Upper‑face, Glossy
Support material is removed and parts are cleaned. Upward‑facing surfaces are glossy, while other surfaces remain matte to semi‑gloss.
Other
FUMING can provide additional processing and finishes, such as sanding, to meet your needs. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Matte
Supported surfaces are lightly sanded with 220‑ or 320‑grit sandpaper, then media‑blasted to produce a uniform matte finish.
Natural
Supported surfaces are lightly sanded with 220‑ or 320‑grit sandpaper to improve surface quality. Sanding marks remain visible on supported areas.
Strip and Ship
After support removal, supported areas may show small grid‑like marks or minor surface blemishes.
Quick Clear
Only supported surfaces are sanded. Layer lines remain visible. A high‑gloss clear coat is applied for enhanced shine.
Other
FUMING offers additional SLA finishing options, such as sanding, polishing, painting, plating, and post‑thermal processing. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Standard
FDM parts are printed with supports, which are removed during post‑processing. Surfaces retain fine layer lines.
Other
FUMING can provide additional processing, such as painting or sanding, to meet your needs. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Standard
Parts built with Carbon DLS technology typically have a matte to semi‑gloss surface, which may vary with feature orientation. Parts are cleaned and supports removed after printing. Supported surfaces are lightly sanded with 220‑ or 320‑grit sandpaper to improve surface quality, leaving visible sanding marks on supported areas.
Other
FUMING can provide additional processing to meet your needs. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Matte
Supported surfaces will be lightly sanded with 220 or 320-grit sandpaper and then media-blasted for a uniform matte finish.
Natural
Supported surfaces will be lightly sanded with 220 or 320-grit sandpaper for improved surface quality. Sanding scratches will be visible on supported surfaces.
Strip and Ship
Supported areas may show small grid-like dots or surface blemishes due to support removal.
Other
FUMING provides additional SLA finishing options, including but not limited to sanding, polishing, painting, plating, and post-thermal processing. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Standard
Support structures are removed, and the part is media blasted for a uniform finish. Typical surface roughness ranges between 150–400 µin Ra.
Other
Additional DMLS post‑processing, such as CNC machining of features and polishing, is evaluated case by case. Specify a custom finish for a manual review.
Zirblast
This standard finish results in a bright, matte, bronze-to-gray metallic surface. This is due to a ceramic bead blast (zirconium silicate bead).
Antique Bronze
A heat patina is applied after tumble polishing to produce a copper-like coloration with darker gray striations from features inaccessible to the media. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.
Damascus Steel
A heat patina is applied to a media-blasted surface, leaving an even, dark gray, and matte surface. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.
Medieval Pewter
A heat patina is applied, then parts are tumble polished, resulting in a dark gray appearance with some bronze shine on protruded features. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.
Tumble Polished
Parts are media tumbled to a semi-gloss polish. The part color is bright bronze with darker gray striations from features inaccessible to the media. Small gaps may still hold small grains of polishing media.
Wheat Penny
A heat patina is applied, and then media blasted, resulting in an even, matte, and copper-like finish. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.