ADDITIONAL SERVICES

SPECIALTY FINISHES

Enhance your hinges with a specialty finish that improves both the aesthetic and performance of your hardware. We provide a diverse range of options, from cleaning and degreasing to powder coating and zinc plating!

** Pricing & Lead Times Vary

ANODIZE

Anodizing is a specialized electrochemical process primarily used for aluminum and its alloys. It effectively enhances the natural oxide layer that forms on aluminum, creating a much thicker, harder, and more durable surface.

For hinges, particularly made of aluminum, anodizing offers several significant benefits:

Superior Corrosion Resistance: This is one of the biggest advantages. The anodized layer is an integral part of the aluminum itself, not just a coating applied on top. This makes it highly resistant to corrosion, including from saltwater, chemicals, and environmental pollutants. This is why anodized aluminum hinges are popular for marine applications, outdoor furniture, and architectural uses.

Enhanced Durability and Wear Resistance: The anodic oxide layer is significantly harder than the base aluminum. This increased surface hardness makes anodized hinges much more resistant to scratches, abrasions, and general wear and tear, prolonging their lifespan, especially in high-traffic or high-use environments. Different types of anodizing (e.g., hard anodizing or Type III) can create even thicker and harder layers for extreme durability.
Excellent Aesthetic Appeal: Anodizing creates a smooth, uniform, and often translucent finish that highlights the metallic luster of the aluminum underneath. It can be dyed during the process to produce a wide range of colors (from clear to various metallics, black, bronze, etc.) that are deeply integrated into the surface and are highly fade-resistant, even with prolonged UV exposure. This provides a high-end, sophisticated look.
No Peeling or Chipping: Because the anodized layer is grown from the aluminum itself, it doesn't peel, flake, or chip like paint or some other coatings can. This makes for a more robust and long-lasting finish that maintains its integrity over time.
Electrical Insulation: Aluminum is a good electrical conductor, but the aluminum oxide layer created by anodizing is non-conductive. This can be a benefit in applications where electrical insulation of the hinge is desired, preventing electrical currents from passing through it.
Good Base for Further Coatings: While often used as a final finish, an anodized surface can also serve as an excellent primer for paint or adhesives, further enhancing protection and adhesion if a multi-layer coating system is desired.
Environmental Friendliness (compared to some other processes): Modern anodizing processes are generally considered more environmentally friendly than some other surface treatments. They don't typically involve heavy metals or generate a lot of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Things to Consider:

Material Specificity: Anodizing is primarily for aluminum and certain non-ferrous alloys. It cannot be applied to steel or iron hinges.
Cost: Anodizing can be more expensive than painting or simple zinc plating, especially for specialized types like hard anodizing, due to the controlled electrochemical process involved.
Imperfections: Any surface imperfections or tooling marks on the raw aluminum will likely remain visible after anodizing, as the process highlights the underlying metal's texture.

In summary, anodizing offers a premium finish for aluminum hinges, providing superior corrosion resistance, exceptional durability, and attractive aesthetics that are deeply integrated with the metal itself, ensuring a long-lasting and high-quality product.

ZINC PLATING

Zinc plating is a very common and effective method for protecting hinges, especially those made from steel or iron. It involves applying a thin layer of zinc onto the surface of the base metal.

Here are the key benefits of zinc plating hinges:

Excellent Corrosion Resistance: This is the primary and most significant benefit.
- Barrier Protection: The zinc layer acts as a physical barrier, preventing direct contact between the base metal and corrosive agents.
- Self-Healing Properties: Even if the zinc coating is scratched or slightly damaged, the surrounding zinc will continue to provide galvanic protection to the exposed steel, preventing rust from spreading. Zinc is more reactive than steel (and iron), when exposed to corrosive elements like moisture and oxygen, the zinc layer corrodes preferentially, "sacrificing" itself to protect the underlying steel. This is known as cathodic or galvanic protection.
- Enhanced by Post-Treatments: Zinc plating often includes a chromate conversion coating (passivation) after plating. These post-treatments significantly boost the corrosion resistance and can also impart different colors (e.g., clear/blue, yellow, black) for aesthetic or identification purposes.
Cost-Effectiveness: Zinc is a relatively abundant and inexpensive metal, and the electroplating process is well-established and efficient. This makes zinc plating a very cost-effective solution for providing good corrosion protection compared to using more expensive materials like stainless steel or brass, or more elaborate coating processes.
Aesthetic Appeal: Zinc plating provides a clean, bright, and often shiny metallic finish. With different chromate treatments, you can achieve various looks, from a bright bluish-white to a golden yellow or even a decorative black, offering versatility for different design requirements.
Good Adhesion: The electroplating process ensures excellent adhesion of the zinc layer to the base metal, forming a strong bond that resists peeling or flaking under normal conditions.
Ductility and Uniformity: Zinc is a ductile metal, meaning it's flexible and can withstand some bending or forming without cracking. The electroplating process also allows for a uniform coating, even on complex hinge geometries, ensuring consistent protection across the entire surface.
Good Base for Further Coatings (Duplex Systems): Zinc-plated surfaces provide an excellent base for additional coatings like paint or powder coat. This "duplex system" combines the sacrificial protection of zinc with the barrier protection of the topcoat, offering significantly enhanced corrosion resistance and extending the lifespan of the hinge even further. If the topcoat is scratched, the zinc layer underneath still offers protection.

Applications:

Zinc-plated hinges are widely used in a variety of applications where a good balance of corrosion resistance, durability, and cost-effectiveness is needed. This includes:

Cabinet hinges
Gate hinges (especially for light to medium duty)
Utility hinges for sheds, toolboxes, etc.
Automotive components
General hardware

While zinc plating offers excellent benefits for many applications, it's worth noting that for extremely harsh environments (e.g., highly corrosive industrial settings, direct saltwater marine exposure), other options like hot-dip galvanizing or using inherently resistant materials like stainless steel might be considered for ultimate longevity.

CLEANING & DEGREASING

Cleaning and/or Degreasing is a foundational step with a multitude of benefits that impact the function, appearance, and longevity of a hinge. Here's why it's so important:

Restores Smooth Operation (Functionality):
- Removes Grime and Debris: Hinges, especially on doors or cabinets, accumulate dust, dirt, pet hair, cooking grease, and general household grime over time. This buildup can get into the pin and barrel mechanism, causing friction.
- Eliminates Stickiness/Squeaking: Grease, oil, or lubricants that have dried out, become gummy, or mixed with dirt can make hinges stiff, sticky, or cause irritating squeaks. Degreasing removes these residues, allowing the hinge components to move freely against each other.
- Prevents Binding: Excessive dirt and old lubricants can cause the hinge to bind or "catch," making doors or lids difficult to open or close smoothly. Cleaning resolves this.
Prepares for New Finishes (Paint, Powder Coat, Plating, Anodizing):
- Crucial for Adhesion: This is perhaps the most critical benefit when applying a new coating. Paint, primer, powder coat, or plating will not adhere properly to a dirty, greasy, or oily surface. Contaminants create a barrier, leading to:
  - Poor Adhesion: The new finish will not bond strongly to the hinge.
  - Peeling, Flaking, Bubbling: The coating will likely chip, peel, or bubble prematurely, compromising both aesthetics and protection.
  - Uneven Finish: Grease or dirt can cause an inconsistent texture or sheen in the applied finish.
- Ensures Uniformity: A clean surface allows for an even, smooth application of any new coating, resulting in a professional and aesthetically pleasing finish.
Enhances Appearance:
- Removes Unsightly Buildup: Old, grimy hinges look dirty and detract from the overall appearance of cabinets, doors, or furniture. Cleaning makes them look fresh and well-maintained.
- Prepares for Polishing/Buffing: If you're planning to polish or buff the original metal finish (e.g., brass hinges), cleaning and degreasing is the essential first step to remove surface contaminants and reveal the true luster of the metal.
Prevents Corrosion and Rust:
- Removes Corrosive Agents: Dirt, salt, food residues, and certain chemicals (like cleaning sprays that might have dripped) can trap moisture and corrosive agents against the hinge's surface, accelerating rust and corrosion. Degreasing removes these culprits.
- Allows for Protective Coatings to Work: For hinges that rely on oils or protective coatings (like those on a bare steel hinge), removing old, ineffective grease allows for the application of new, fresh rust-inhibiting lubricants or coatings that can effectively do their job.
Prolongs Hinge Lifespan:
- Reduces Wear: By allowing smooth operation, cleaning reduces the friction and stress on the hinge components, which in turn reduces wear and tear on the pin, knuckles, and leaves.
- Prevents Premature Failure: A well-maintained, clean hinge is less likely to seize up, bend, or break prematurely due to excessive friction or corrosion.

In essence, cleaning and degreasing hinges is not just about making them look better; it's a fundamental maintenance practice that ensures their proper function, extends their life, and is absolutely critical for the successful application and longevity of any subsequent finish.

ELECTROPOLISH

Electropolishing is a sophisticated electrochemical process that is particularly beneficial for stainless steel hinges, though it can be applied to other metals like aluminum. It's often described as the reverse of electroplating, as it selectively removes a microscopic layer of material from the surface rather than adding one. This process dramatically improves the hinge's properties in several ways.

Here are the key benefits of electropolishing hinges:

Superior Corrosion Resistance: This is perhaps the most significant advantage.
- Removes Free Iron: During manufacturing (machining, welding, forming), "free iron" particles can become embedded in the surface of stainless steel. These particles are highly susceptible to rust and can compromise the stainless steel's natural corrosion resistance. Electropolishing preferentially dissolves these free iron particles.
- Enhances Chromium-Rich Surface: Stainless steel's corrosion resistance comes from a passive, chromium-rich oxide layer that naturally forms on its surface. Electropolishing removes iron and other less noble elements from the surface, leaving a higher concentration of chromium. This promotes the formation of a thicker, more uniform, and more stable passive layer, significantly increasing resistance to various forms of corrosion (pitting, crevice, stress corrosion cracking).
- Removes Contaminants: It removes other embedded contaminants, oxides, and heat tint (discoloration from welding or heat treatment) that can act as initiation sites for corrosion.
Improved Surface Finish (Smoother and Brighter):
- Microscopic Leveling: Electropolishing works by dissolving the "peaks" of microscopic roughness faster than the "valleys." This results in a significantly smoother surface at a microscopic level.
- Mirror-Like Sheen: The smoothing effect also leads to a brighter, more reflective, and aesthetically pleasing "mirror" finish.
- No Mechanical Stress: Unlike mechanical polishing or buffing, electropolishing doesn't introduce mechanical stress, smearing, or micro-cracks into the surface, which can actually degrade corrosion resistance.
Enhanced Cleanability and Sterility:
- Reduced Product Adhesion: The ultra-smooth surface created by electropolishing drastically reduces the surface area where dirt, grime, product residues, or even bacteria can adhere.
- Easier Cleaning and Sterilization: Hinges that are electropolished are much easier to clean and sanitize, making them ideal for applications requiring high hygiene, such as in the food processing, pharmaceutical, medical, and cleanroom industries. It reduces the formation of bacterial biofilms.
Deburring and Edge Radiusing:
- Removes Micro-Burrs: The electrochemical action effectively removes microscopic burrs and sharp edges that often result from manufacturing processes. This is crucial for safety (preventing cuts) and improving hinge function.
- Even on Complex Geometries: Electropolishing can reach and deburr areas that are inaccessible to mechanical polishing methods, even on complex hinge designs.
Reduced Friction and Wear:
- Smoother Movement: By reducing surface roughness, electropolishing lowers the coefficient of friction between moving parts of the hinge (e.g., the pin and barrel). This leads to smoother operation, less wear on the components, and potentially eliminates squeaking.
- Extended Life: Reduced friction and wear contribute to a longer operational lifespan for the hinge.
Improved Fatigue Life:
- Removes Surface Defects: By removing surface imperfections like micro-cracks, inclusions, and pits, electropolishing eliminates stress concentration points that can lead to crack initiation and propagation under cyclic loading (repeated opening and closing of the hinge). This can significantly improve the hinge's fatigue life.

Limitations:

Material Specificity: Primarily for stainless steel and certain other alloys (like some nickel alloys). It's not typically used for common steel or aluminum (anodizing is used for aluminum).
Cost: Generally more expensive than basic painting or zinc plating due to the specialized equipment and controlled process.
Material Removal: While precise, it does remove a small amount of material from the surface, which must be accounted for in tight tolerance applications.

In summary, electropolishing offers a high-performance finish for hinges, particularly stainless steel ones, where superior corrosion resistance, high cleanliness, enhanced durability, and a smooth, attractive appearance are paramount. It's a premium treatment that significantly boosts the hinge's functional and aesthetic qualities.

OXIDE

Oxide can refer to a few different processes, but generally, it involves forming a controlled layer of oxide on the metal surface. The most common and widely recognized form of oxidizing for steel and iron hinges is black oxide coating, also known as "blackening," "gun bluing," or "oxidizing". For other metals, like copper or bronze, it might refer to "controlled patination".

Let's focus on the benefits of black oxide as it's the most prevalent industrial application:

Aesthetic Appeal (Matte to Semi-Gloss Black Finish):
- This is often the primary reason for choosing black oxide. It provides a uniform, attractive black or dark bluish-black finish that can be matte or semi-gloss, depending on the post-treatment (oil, wax, lacquer). This sleek, understated look blends well with many designs, from traditional to modern, and is a popular choice for architectural hardware, firearms, and automotive parts.

Corrosion Resistance (with Sealant):
- While the black oxide layer itself offers some mild corrosion resistance, its true protective power comes when it's sealed with oil, wax, or lacquer. The porous nature of the black oxide layer readily absorbs these sealants, creating a barrier that significantly enhances rust and corrosion protection. This "duplex system" is very effective for indoor or mildly corrosive environments.
Minimal Dimensional Change:
- Unlike plating processes that add a measurable layer of material, black oxide is a "conversion coating." It chemically alters the surface of the metal, typically adding a layer of less than 0.5 to 2 microns (0.00002 to 0.00008 inches). This extremely thin layer means that hinges treated with black oxide retain their original dimensions and tolerances. This is crucial for precision-fit components where even slight changes in size could affect functionality.
Improved Lubricity and Anti-Galling Properties:
- The black oxide layer, being somewhat porous, can retain lubricants (like oil) extremely well. This property significantly reduces the coefficient of friction between moving parts of the hinge, leading to smoother operation, reduced wear, and preventing "galling" (where two sliding metal surfaces seize or abrade each other). This is a major benefit for hinges that experience frequent movement.
Reduced Light Reflection/Glare:
- The dark, non-reflective finish of black oxide is excellent for applications where glare needs to be minimized. This is why it's commonly used on tools, firearms, and optical components. For hinges, this might be a subtle aesthetic benefit, preventing reflections in certain lighting conditions.
Cost-Effective:
- Compared to many other protective coatings like electroplating or powder coating, black oxide is often a more affordable process, especially for large batches of parts.
No Hydrogen Embrittlement:
- For high-strength steel hinges, black oxide coating does not typically cause hydrogen embrittlement, a phenomenon that can weaken metal parts in certain plating processes.

Limitations to Consider:

Limited Stand-Alone Corrosion Resistance: Without a proper sealant, the black oxide layer alone provides only mild corrosion protection. It's the combination with oil, wax, or lacquer that makes it effective.
Not for Harsh Environments: For extremely harsh or corrosive environments (e.g., saltwater marine applications, highly acidic/alkaline conditions), more robust coatings like powder coating, zinc plating with chromates, or using inherently corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or anodized aluminum might be necessary.
Maintenance: To maintain optimal corrosion resistance, especially in areas with some moisture, the sealant may need occasional reapplication.

In summary, oxidizing (black oxide coating) hinges offers a cost-effective way to achieve an attractive dark finish while providing moderate corrosion protection (when sealed) and excellent lubricity for smooth operation, all without significantly altering the hinge's dimensions.

PAINT & POWDER COAT

When choosing a finish for hinges, the decision between paint and powder coating often comes down to a balance of cost, durability, aesthetics, and application requirements. Both methods provide a protective and decorative layer, but they achieve this through fundamentally different processes, leading to distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Process: Paint is a liquid coating composed of pigments, binders, solvents, and additives. It's applied to the hinge typically by brushing, rolling, or spraying. Multiple coats are often required, with drying time between each. For hinges, spray painting is usually preferred for a smoother finish. Proper surface preparation (cleaning, sanding, priming) is crucial for adhesion.

Pros:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Generally the most economical option, especially for small projects or DIY applications. Paint and application tools are readily available and relatively inexpensive.
- Color Variety & Customization: Offers an almost limitless range of colors and can be custom-mixed to achieve precise shades. It's easy to change the color later if desired, and you can readily match existing colors.
- Versatility: Can be applied to a wider variety of materials, including those that cannot withstand the high temperatures of powder coating.
- Thin Coats: Can be applied in very thin layers, which might be important for hinges with very tight tolerances.
Cons:
- Durability: Significantly less durable than powder coating. Paint is more prone to chipping, scratching, peeling, and fading, especially in high-traffic areas or environments with moisture.
- Lifespan: Requires more frequent maintenance and reapplication, particularly for outdoor or heavily used hinges, as it breaks down faster with UV exposure and wear.
- Finish Quality: Can be challenging to achieve a perfectly smooth, uniform finish without drips, runs, or brush marks, especially for less experienced applicators.
- Environmental Impact: Traditional paints contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can release harmful fumes into the atmosphere and require proper ventilation and waste disposal.
- Functionality Concerns: Thick layers of paint, or paint seeping into the hinge mechanism, can lead to stiffness, squeaking, or hinder smooth operation.

Process: Powder coating is a dry finishing process. A fine powder (made of polymer resins, pigments, and other ingredients) is electrostatically applied to the hinge. The electrostatic charge causes the powder to cling to the grounded metal surface. The hinge is then heated in a curing oven, which melts the powder, allowing it to flow and form a smooth, uniform, and highly durable coating that chemically bonds to the metal.

Pros:
- Superior Durability: The standout advantage. Powder coating is highly resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, corrosion, and impact. It forms a thicker, more robust, and flexible barrier than liquid paint. This means hinges will look better and perform longer, even under heavy use.
- Exceptional Corrosion Protection: Provides excellent protection against rust and corrosion due to its dense, uniform coverage that shields the underlying metal from moisture and chemicals. Ideal for outdoor hinges or those in humid environments.
- Long-Lasting: Can protect hinges for many years, often decades, even in harsh conditions, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or replacement.
- High-Quality, Consistent Finish: Achieves a very smooth, consistent, and aesthetically pleasing finish with no drips, runs, or brush marks. It can also create unique textures (wrinkled, hammer-tone, matte) not easily achievable with paint.
- Eco-Friendly: Contains no solvents and releases virtually no VOCs during application, making it a much more environmentally friendly option. Excess powder can often be reclaimed and reused, reducing waste.
- Enhanced Impact Resistance: Its thickness and flexibility make it more resistant to cracking or breaking off under impact or stress, which is beneficial for components that might experience knocks.
Cons:
- Higher Initial Cost: Generally more expensive than painting, especially for small batches or if professional services are required, as it demands specialized equipment (electrostatic spray gun, curing oven).
- Limited Color Options (compared to paint): While many colors are available, the range is typically not as extensive as liquid paint. Custom color matching can be more challenging or expensive.
- Difficult to Touch Up: If a powder-coated hinge gets significantly damaged, it's very difficult to touch up seamlessly. The entire piece often needs to be re-coated, or the damage will remain visible.
- Heat Sensitivity: Not suitable for materials that cannot withstand the high temperatures (typically 350-400°F or 175-200°C) of the curing oven.

Which is Better?

The "better" option depends heavily on your priorities:

Powder Coat is a clear winner if needed for maximum durability, longevity, and resistance to wear, corrosion, and chipping. This is especially true for hinges on exterior doors, gates, heavy-use cabinets, or in commercial/industrial settings where performance is paramount.
Paint is a viable and effective choice for budget-conscious projects, or if you need an exact color match for hinges that will see less wear (e.g., interior cabinet hinges that are rarely opened). However, be prepared for potential chips and a shorter lifespan compared to powder coat.

Ultimately, if the hinges are a critical component that will endure frequent use or exposure to the elements, the investment in powder coating will likely pay off in long-term performance and reduced maintenance. If aesthetics and low initial cost are the primary drivers for less-stressed hinges, painting can serve the purpose.