High Phosphorus
Roughly 10 to 13 percent phosphorus. The most corrosion resistant option and essentially nonmagnetic, chosen for parts exposed to moisture, salt and chemicals.
Even Coverage on Every Thread,
Bore and Edge
Bore and Edge
A nickel phosphorus coating that builds the same thickness inside a blind hole as it does on a flat face. Corrosion protection, wear resistance and tight dimensional control for production and precision parts.
Certified, Approved and Verified
Electroless Nickel Plating
No Current, No Thin Spots. Just Uniform Nickel
Conventional plating pushes metal onto a part with electricity, and electricity takes the shortest path. Corners and edges collect a heavy deposit while recesses, threads and the inside of a tube get very little. Electroless nickel works differently. The nickel is deposited by a controlled chemical reaction in a heated bath, so every surface the solution touches grows at the same rate. A bore, a spline and an outside diameter all come out of the tank with essentially the same thickness.
What gets deposited is not pure nickel but a nickel phosphorus alloy, and the amount of phosphorus decides how the coating behaves. More phosphorus means better corrosion resistance and a nonmagnetic deposit. Less phosphorus means a harder, more wear resistant surface. Choosing the right chemistry for the job is the first decision we make with you, long before a part goes into the bath.
Because the coating follows the surface exactly, it also reveals everything about that surface. Oil, scale, rust, old plating and machining residue all have to come off, and each base metal needs its own cleaning and activation sequence. Steel, stainless and aluminum are prepared in completely different ways, and a part that is not prepared correctly will lose adhesion no matter how good the bath is.
Send us the drawing or a few photos, the material, and what the part does in service. If your print calls out a coating specification or a finished dimension, include it. We will recommend a phosphorus range and a thickness, tell you whether masking or heat treatment makes sense, and send back a written quote.
What We Do
Electroless Nickel Coating Options
A valve body sitting in salt spray, a shaft running against a seal and a mold that has to release cleanly all need a different deposit. These are the electroless nickel chemistries and treatments we specify most often.
Medium Phosphorus
Roughly 5 to 9 percent phosphorus. The general purpose workhorse, with a bright appearance and a balance of hardness, wear and corrosion protection that suits most industrial parts.
Low Phosphorus
Roughly 1 to 5 percent phosphorus. The hardest deposit as plated, selected for sliding surfaces, tooling and components where wear resistance matters more than chemical exposure.
Heat Treated
A bake after plating can raise hardness to a level that competes with hard chrome, or relieve hydrogen in high strength steel. The cycle is matched to the chemistry and the base metal.
PTFE Composite
Fine PTFE particles locked into the nickel matrix create a dry lubricating surface. Used on molds, fasteners, sliding mechanisms and anything that needs low friction or easy release.
Complex Geometry
Internal passages, blind holes, fine threads and deep pockets get the same coating as the outside of the part. Often the only practical choice when conventional plating cannot reach.
Choosing a Finish
Electroless Nickel Compared
We run all three of these processes in house, so we have no reason to push one over another. Here is how they differ and when each one is the right call.
Electroless Nickel
- Uniform thickness on any shape
- Coats inside bores and threads
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Holds tight finished dimensions
- Satin to bright functional look
Electrolytic Nickel
- Brighter decorative appearance
- Lower cost on simple shapes
- Ideal base layer under chrome
- Thicker on edges, thinner in recesses
- Best for visible, open surfaces
Hard Chrome
- Extreme hardness and wear life
- Low friction on rods and shafts
- Can be ground back to size
- Struggles in recesses and bores
- Best for straight, exposed surfaces
What We Can Finish
Base Metals for Electroless Nickel
The plating bath is the same for every part. The preparation is not. Each substrate has its own cleaning and activation sequence, and getting it right is what keeps the coating attached.
Carbon and Alloy Steel
The most common substrate we coat. After degreasing and acid activation, steel accepts every phosphorus range. High strength steels can receive a hydrogen relief bake after plating.
Stainless Steel
Its passive oxide film blocks adhesion, so it gets a nickel strike before the electroless bath. Often coated to stop galling on threads or to add surface hardness.
Aluminum
Aluminum oxidizes within seconds, so it receives a zincate treatment that protects the surface until the nickel takes over. The alloy matters, so tell us the grade if you know it.
Copper
Copper does not start the reaction on its own, so it is activated before plating. Electroless nickel then acts as a durable barrier against tarnish and diffusion.
Brass and Bronze
Valve bodies, fittings and marine components plate cleanly once activated. The nickel layer protects against dezincification and adds a harder working surface.
Specialty Alloys
Nickel alloys, tool steels and cast parts can be coated case by case. Send the exact alloy designation so we can confirm the activation sequence before you ship.
Electroless Nickel Catalog
Specifications and Services
Everything we offer around electroless nickel, from the chemistry itself to masking, stripping and post plate treatment.
Chemistries and Appearance
- Low Phosphorus
- Medium Phosphorus
- High Phosphorus
- PTFE Composite
- Bright Finish
- Satin Finish
Performance and Treatment
- Corrosion Protection
- Wear and Abrasion Resistance
- Post Plate Heat Treatment
- Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief
- Dimensional Restoration
- Controlled Coating Thickness
Substrates and Prep
- Steel and Alloy Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminum (Zincate)
- Copper, Brass and Bronze
- Nickel Strike Activation
- Masking for Selective Plating
- Stripping and Replating
How It Works
From Raw Part to Coated and Inspected
One part or a production run, every job moves through the same five steps.
1
Share the Details
Send photos or a drawing, the material, the quantity and any coating callout on your print.
2
Get a Recommendation
We suggest a phosphorus range and thickness and send a written quote within 24 business hours.
3
Ship or Drop Off
Send the parts with your quote number, or bring them to the shop in Oceanside.
4
Clean, Activate and Plate
Parts are degreased, masked where needed, activated for their alloy and plated in a controlled bath.
5
Inspect and Return
Coverage and thickness are checked, any heat treatment is completed, and parts ship back insured.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by Professionals
From custom builders to industrial manufacturers, our clients trust us to deliver the same result every time.
Who We Serve
Where Electroless Nickel Earns Its Keep
Wherever a part has to fit, seal, slide or survive a harsh environment, a uniform nickel coating usually belongs on it.
Machined Components
CNC parts with tight tolerances, where the coating has to go on evenly so the part still fits after plating.
Industrial Equipment
Valves, pump housings, shafts and fixtures that need corrosion protection inside passages as well as outside.
Automotive and Motorsport
Brackets, fuel system fittings, brake parts and engine components protected from heat, fluids and road salt.
Marine
Fittings, pump parts and deck components where high phosphorus nickel stands up to constant salt exposure.
Molds and Tooling
Plastic injection molds, dies and fixtures that need a hard surface, clean release and protection from corrosion.
Hardware and Fasteners
Threaded parts, hinges and fittings coated all the way into the threads for smooth assembly and lasting protection.
Shop Results
Before and After
Drag the handle on any photo to compare the part as it arrived with the finished electroless nickel surface.
Before
Precision Steel Component
Arrived with surface rust and a failed zinc finish. Stripped, cleaned and activated, then coated with medium phosphorus nickel for an even, corrosion resistant surface that kept the part within its fit.
MEDIUM PHOSPHORUS
STEEL
PRECISION FIT
Before
Machined Aluminum Housings
Dull, oxidized housings with threaded ports. Each piece went through a zincate pretreatment and received high phosphorus nickel that reached every port and internal face.
HIGH PHOSPHORUS
ALUMINUM
ZINCATE
Before
Complex Industrial Part
Deep pockets and cross drilled passages that conventional plating could not reach evenly. Electroless nickel coated the inside and the outside at the same thickness.
ELECTROLESS NICKEL
COMPLEX GEOMETRY
INDUSTRIAL
Our Commitment
Coatings You Can Build Around
Functional plating only counts if the part works when it goes back into the assembly. That is the standard we inspect to on every order.
Controlled Baths
Bath chemistry, temperature and nickel content are monitored throughout the run so the deposit stays consistent from the first part to the last.
Right Prep for Each Alloy
Steel, stainless and aluminum each follow their own cleaning and activation sequence, which is what keeps the coating bonded.
Thickness Checked
Coverage and coating thickness are checked against your requirement before parts are released for packing.
Protected in Transit
Finished parts are separated and packed so threads, sealing faces and machined surfaces arrive exactly as they left the tank.
How We Handle Your Order
- We recommend a chemistry and thickness based on how the part is used
- Masking is discussed up front for threads, bores and sealing faces
- Every batch is inspected before it leaves the plating line
- We call you when something about a part needs a decision
- Production runs are processed to the same settings every time
What You May Experience Elsewhere
- One generic chemistry used for every part that comes in
- No questions asked about tolerances or the finished fit
- Coating that builds up on threads and blocks assembly
- Results that change from one batch to the next
- Long silences once your parts are in production
One Piece or a Thousand
Big order or a single knob, same care.
Homeowners send us one faucet. Companies in and out of state send production runs of hundreds or thousands of parts. Both get a written quote and the same inspection before anything ships back.
35+
Years of Expertise
Take a Moment to Learn More
About Decorative Metal Coatings
Since 1989 we have plated parts for machine shops, manufacturers, restorers and builders. Decorative work and functional coatings run under the same roof, with the same inspection standard.
Free Estimates Available
Send a photo or drawing and receive a no obligation quote within 24 hours.
Quality Guaranteed
Every part leaves our shop backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If you are not satisfied, we make it right.
Ship From Anywhere in the US
Single prototypes or full production runs, shipped to us from any state and returned insured.
Fast Turnaround Times
Most projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited Orders: 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
Ordering Guide
How to Specify Electroless Nickel
The fastest quotes come from requests that answer a few simple questions. Start with the base metal, and the alloy if you know it. Aluminum, stainless and steel are prepared in completely different ways, and an unknown alloy is the most common reason a quote takes longer than it should.
Next, tell us what the coating has to do. If the part fights corrosion, a high phosphorus deposit is usually the answer. If it fights wear, a low phosphorus or heat treated deposit makes more sense. If it simply needs solid all around protection, medium phosphorus covers most applications. When your drawing already calls out a specification such as AMS 2404 or ASTM B733, send it along and we will confirm it before you ship.
Thickness is the other key number. Electroless nickel builds evenly, so the coating adds the same amount to every surface, inside diameters included. On a precision fit, that growth has to be planned for. Let us know the finished dimension you need, and whether any threads, bores or sealing faces should be masked and left bare.
Finally, mention quantity and timing. A single prototype and a recurring production run are scheduled differently, and knowing what is coming next lets us hold the same settings from batch to batch.
Project Gallery
Electroless Nickel Gallery
Uniform electroless nickel on machined, threaded and complex parts, from valve bodies and molds to marine fittings and hardware.
Nationwide Service
Send Parts for Electroless Nickel From Any State
Machine shops and manufacturers across the country send us parts by carrier every week. Here is how to make it smooth.
01
Quote before you ship
Send photos or drawings, the material and the quantity. You receive a written quote and lead time, usually the same business day. Always wait for a quote number before shipping.
02
Protect machined surfaces
Bag or wrap each part separately, cap threads and ports when you can, and keep parts from rubbing against each other. Use plenty of padding on every side of the box.
03
Insure it and share tracking
Declare the real value with the carrier and email us the tracking number so we can log your parts the day they arrive.
04
Inspected, then shipped back
Once plating and inspection are complete, we pack the parts in clean materials and ship them back insured, or hold them for pickup.
Visit Us
Our Location
Every electroless nickel order is cleaned, plated and inspected in our own facility in North County San Diego.
Decorative Metal Coatings
Electroless nickel, chrome and metal finishing in San Diego County since 1989.
- Address 2613 Temple Heights Dr, Ste G, Oceanside, CA 92056
- Phone (760) 746 3378
- Quotes Send photos and get a price
Business Hours
- Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday Closed
Local pickup and drop off across San Diego County
Machine shops and manufacturers in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido and the rest of the county can drop parts off at the shop. Everyone else can ship to us from anywhere in the United States.
Cities We Serve
Select your city for electroless nickel turnaround times and drop off options in your area.
North County San Diego
City of San Diego and South Bay
San Diego
Chula Vista
National City
Imperial Beach
Coronado
La Mesa
El Cajon
Santee
La Jolla
Otay Mesa
Riverside and Orange County
Electroless Nickel Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions engineers, buyers and builders ask most before sending parts. Still need help? Call the shop or send a message.
Price depends on part size, quantity, base metal, the thickness you need and how much masking is involved. A batch of small steel parts with no masking costs far less per piece than a single aluminum housing with masked threads. Send photos or a drawing and we return a written quote within 24 business hours.
It depends on the job. Thin deposits are common for light corrosion protection and parts with tight fits, while heavier deposits are used for severe environments, wear surfaces or rebuilding worn dimensions. Because the coating grows evenly on every surface, we plan the thickness around your finished dimension.
Phosphorus content changes how the coating behaves. High phosphorus gives the best corrosion resistance and is nonmagnetic. Low phosphorus is the hardest and most wear resistant as plated. Medium phosphorus sits in between and is the most common general purpose choice.
It is different rather than better. Electroless nickel wins on uniform coverage, complex shapes and corrosion protection. Hard chrome wins on extreme wear surfaces like hydraulic rods, and decorative chrome wins on mirror appearance. We run all three, so we recommend whichever fits the part.
Yes. Aluminum receives a zincate pretreatment that keeps its surface from oxidizing before the nickel bonds. Results depend on the alloy, so let us know the grade if you have it.
Yes, by exactly the coating thickness on every surface, including inside diameters and threads. That predictable growth is one of the main advantages of electroless nickel, but it has to be accounted for on precision fits. Tell us the finished dimension and we will plan around it, or mask areas that must stay bare.
Yes. Because the deposit forms by chemical reaction instead of electric current, any surface the solution reaches is coated, including blind holes, internal passages and fine threads. Areas that must stay uncoated can be masked.
Yes. Request a quote first, protect machined surfaces and threads, insure the shipment for its real value and email us the tracking number. We plate, inspect and ship your parts back insured.