Electroplating
Masking Products

Masking products for metal plating finishing processes can cover a wide range of products, based on the types of plating that exist in the metal finishing world. Testing samples to determine suitability for each type of finishing may be beneficial, and Viadon sends FREE samples of most tapes, caps and plugs.

Anodizing caps and plugs

Green anodizing tape

Caps and Plugs

For standard caps and plugs, both a cured silicone material and EPDM rubber are often an appropriate choice and work very well. Testing samples to determine suitability for each type of finishing may be beneficial, and Viadon sends FREE samples of most tapes, caps and plugs. For a range of available products and more details about each, see these pages for more info:

Plating Caps and Plugs

Green Polyester Tape

Green polyester tape is a great all-around plating masking tape, easily withstanding 160F to 190F plating bath temperatures and having the chemical resistance needs to go through the entire process without degrading. The silicone based adhesive adheres well to most metal alloys; simply apply firm pressure to the tape on a clean, dry surface. However, because plating is an immersion process, there are some techniques that will help ensure clean masking lines after parts are plated. See graphic at bottom of page, or call Viadon for more information. To go to the pages for tape rolls or die cuts of this particular tape, click these links:

VGT215 Green Plating Tape

VGD Green Plating Tape Die Cut Disks

Viadon's green poly tape is 'a cut above' many competitor's tapes, because it is American-Made. The same-day trip from manufacturer to our dock ensures fresh, USA-quality tape that will last up to 12 months without degrading in effectiveness. Just store on end in a cool, humidity-controlled location for best shelf life.

Other Masking Tape Options for Plating Include:

LF420 Lead Foil Plating Tape: Thicker material, conformable, great for complex surfaces or achieving maximum stop-off for masking lines
VRPT Red Polyester PlatingTape: Thin, 1 mil carrier material, additional adhesive compared to green poly for excellent adhesion and stop off
3M 1280 Red Circuit Plating Tape: Another thin, 1 mil carrier tape, 1280 tape by 3M, also has additional adhesive
Aluminum Foil Plating Tapes (lined/unlined): This link goes to all of Viadon's foil tapes of various thicknesses, as well as both lined and unlined options
PVC6 Vinyl Plating Tape: Thick, vinyl tape is often used as a plating masking tape; rubber adhesive has good stop-off properties and is low cost

Viadon slits tape to width in-house, and die cuts plating masking tape disks to size, and offers custom-shapes die cutting as well.

See the video below to watch these processes in action with green polyester tape, along with how Viadon slits the tape to width, die cuts it to size, and how you can get the most out of it when applying it to parts.

Quick, informative video about Green Polyester Tape and its uses for masking during powder coating, anodizing, plating, and e-coating. Demonstrates the benefits of American-made green polyester tape.

Images of Green Polyester Tape

Metal parts masked with green polyester tape

These parts are pre-masked and are stacked, waiting to be racked and then finished. The green polyester tape masks the areas that have either more critical tolerances, requires grounding surfaces, or simply cannot have a finish in a particular area.

Green polyester tape withstands up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for up to one hour and easily handles anodizing tank temperatures, and has excellent chemical resistance properties.

Pressure sensitive adhesive graphic

A cross-section representation of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape systems. Pressure must be applied to these tapes to increase adhesion, as the adhesive is activated with pressure and flows over time. The microscopic crevices the exists even on very smooth surfaces allow the adhesive to "grab" the surface even better after 24 hours from application.

The majority of Viadon's tape line utilize PSA's. Not all processes require a waiting period before use, but some plating processes benefit from applying tape masking and waiting 12 to 24 hours to achieve maximum adhesion for best stop-off properties. Also note that the tape adhesion is enhanced when applied to clean parts.

Electroplating Masking Products