Expert Metal Finishing & Surface Treatment Services

ABS metal refers to Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic that has been metallized through vacuum metallizing or electroplating processes. ABS is one of the most popular plastics for metal finishing because it readily accepts plating and coating treatments. Through our vacuum metallizing process, we apply a thin layer of metal (typically aluminum) to ABS surfaces, creating brilliant chrome, gold, or custom metallic finishes. We can also electroplate ABS with precious metals like 24K gold, chrome, nickel, or decorative finishes. The result is a lightweight plastic component with the appearance, reflectivity, and durability of solid metal—ideal for cosmetic packaging, automotive trim, electronics housings, and decorative hardware applications.

An ABS finish is any decorative or protective coating applied to ABS plastic substrates to enhance appearance, durability, or functionality. Common ABS finishes include vacuum metallized coatings (mirror chrome, gold, copper, rose gold), electroplated layers (24K gold, white bronze, brushed nickel, antique brass), UV protective topcoats, and specialty treatments like satin or matte textures. At Providence Metallizing, we offer over 30 distinct finishes for ABS, including ROHS-compliant options. Our proprietary processes ensure superior adhesion, scratch resistance, and color consistency. ABS finishes are widely used in cosmetics (caps and closures), consumer electronics, automotive components, and decorative hardware where the aesthetic quality of metal is desired without the weight or cost.

Our turnaround time varies by finish complexity and volume, but we're known for industry-leading speed—often completing projects in half the normal lead times. For sampling and prototypes, our in-house custom tooling capabilities allow rapid development, typically 1-2 weeks depending on part complexity. Production runs are efficiently processed through our 200,000 sq.ft. facility operating 24-5, with capacity for over a million parts per week. Simple vacuum metallizing or UV coating projects can be completed within days, while multi-step processes involving electroplating, base coating, and topcoating may require 1-2 weeks. We handle trailer loads of material daily and run over 20 different jobs simultaneously, ensuring your project moves through production efficiently without sacrificing our jewelry-quality standards.

We provide advanced finishing for a wide range of substrates including plastics (ABS, Polypropylene, PC/ABS, Ultem, Nylon, LCP, HDPE, and other engineering grades), metals (brass, steel, zinc, white metal, aluminum, stainless steel), and glass (bottles, containers, jars). Our electroplating services work on all three substrate types, while our vacuum metallizing excels with plastics and glass. We specialize in die-cast zinc parts, stamped brass and steel components, deep-drawn brass, machined sterling silver, and injection-molded engineering plastics. Our PVD methods apply highly durable coatings like Titanium Nitride to metal and plastic substrates for functional applications. Whatever your substrate, we can match finishes across different materials—critical for products combining metal and plastic components with consistent aesthetics.

Yes, we offer free sampling services for most customers and applications. Our prototype finishing capabilities are backed by a separate custom tooling division that designs and builds specialized fixtures, allowing us to move parts from sampling to production in half the normal lead times. We encourage customers to submit sample parts for finish testing and approval before committing to full production runs. This ensures color matching, adhesion testing, and finish durability meet your exact specifications. Our engineers will work with you to select the optimal finishing process—whether vacuum metallizing, electroplating, PVD coating, or UV protection—and provide finished samples that demonstrate the quality and consistency you can expect in high-volume production. Contact us to discuss your sampling needs.

As an approved supplier to Estée Lauder, L'Oreal, Avon, and Elizabeth Arden, we offer the cosmetic industry's most comprehensive finish portfolio. Options include mirror chrome, 24K gold plating, white bronze, custom metallic colors (copper, rose gold, gun metal), satin finishes, antique treatments, brushed stainless effects, and transparent metallics. Our proprietary UV topcoat system provides super-hard, chemically resistant protection that's fragrance-proof and scratch-resistant—essential for caps, closures, collars, and compacts. We specialize in flawless finishes for color cosmetics, skin care, and fragrance packaging, with precise color matching capabilities and the ability to apply cast logos. For glass bottles, we offer innovative treatments including precision laser artwork removal, crackle finishes, and antique metallization that simulates relief glass.

Yes, matching finishes across metal and plastic substrates is one of our core specialties, particularly important for electronic, medical, plumbing, and hardware applications where components must appear seamless. Our electroplating systems are specifically designed to produce identical finishes on both materials—any finish achievable on metal can be replicated on plastic with equal quality. We've developed the industry's most consistent and flexible plating-on-plastic line, capable of over 30 distinct finishes including brushed stainless, satin nickel, antique brass, oil-rubbed bronze, and architectural finishes. Our process ensures color consistency, texture matching, and durability across substrates. Whether you need chrome-plated brass to match chrome-plated ABS, or gold-finished metal paired with gold-finished polycarbonate, we guarantee seamless aesthetic integration across your product assembly.

Our 60+ years of finishing innovation serves diverse industries including cosmetics and personal care (our largest segment), jewelry manufacturing, trophy and novelty, lamp and lighting, automotive components, electronics and hi-tech applications, medical devices, plumbing fixtures and hardware, writing instruments, tableware and ornaments, architectural finishing, and liquor and beverage packaging. Each industry benefits from our specialized capabilities: cosmetics clients value our UV coating and glass metallizing; electronics manufacturers rely on our EMI-RFI shielding and PVD coatings; medical and plumbing industries require our precision electroplating for matched metal-plastic assemblies; jewelry clients appreciate our decorative chrome and antique finishes. With 200,000 sq.ft. of capacity and flexible manufacturing systems, we handle projects from intricate miniature parts to large architectural components across virtually any application requiring superior metal finishing.