The Voice of the Finishing Industry Since 1936

Electroplating
Powder
Liquid
Anodizing
Electrocoating
Cleaning
Mass Finishing
All Topics
|
- Latest Issue
- Archive
Latest Issue See All

25 Sep 2026 aerospace
Electroless Nickel: Enabling the Next Generation of Aerospace
Electroless nickel is being reimagined as a multifunctional performance system, one that bridges lightweight material choices and electrification trends with demanding aerospace requirements.

14 Sep 2026 economics
Finishing Index Cools, But Margin Pressure Eases
The GBI gave back more than three points, landing at 53.8 as hiring and backlog softened, yet easing input costs and firmer prices received point-to-margin relief for finishers.

6 Sep 2026 surfin
Maximizing Cleaner Performance Through Practical Analytics
Accu-Labs outlines low-cost alkalinity, oil-loading and surface-tension tests that let shops replace fixed cleaning schedules with condition-based maintenance.

5 Oct 2026 aerospace
How Aerospace Coatings Are Redefining Aircraft Performance
Aerospace surface engineering developments like thermal barriers, EMI shielding, electroless nickel use beyond metal and AI-assisted drone inspections continue to push this industry’s performance, safety and fuel efficiency goals.

20 Sep 2026 Electrocoating
NASF/AESF #126: Water-in-Salt Electrolytes as a Platform for Electrodeposition (Q4)
University of Alabama researcher reports a newly developed WiSE-deposited metallic tungsten films on brass and copper, a result the NASF Foundation-funded team calls a step toward electrodepositing a metal long resistant to aqueous plating.

13 Sep 2026 surfin
Applications of Electroless Nickel: Numerous and Diverse
Dipsol surveys nine application areas for electroless nickel coatings, from wear and corrosion resistance to metal diffusion barriers and precision optical finishing.

23 Sep 2026 Powder Coating
Honesty, Quality Leads to Quick Turnaround Times for Top Shop
For over a decade, honesty, quality and fast turnaround times have led to rapid growth for Performance Powder Coating.

21 Sep 2026 aerospace
Drone-Based Sensor Boosts Aircraft Coating Inspections
AkzoNobel expands the capability of its Aerofleet Coatings Management system with a drone-based sensor for aircraft coating inspection and quality control.

9 Sep 2026 Anodizing
How to Course-Correct Declining Bath Heat Transfer
Metal finishing shops that maintain certain disciplined monitoring practices can preempt heat transfer loss and its symptoms before they get out of hand.

28 Sep 2026
In What Way Is This Person Smart?
Sometimes all it takes is restating the question to gain new perspective and unlock native talent hiding in plain sight.
Archive See All

September 2026

August 2026

July 2026

June 2026

May 2026

April 2026
Podcast
- Webinars
- Calendar
- Suppliers
- Videos
- Collections
Webinars See All

15 Oct 2026
Efficient Cleaning Additives for Challenging Conditions
Metal cleaning is a critical step in industrial manufacturing, directly impacting surface quality and the performance of downstream operations such as coating, painting and surface treatment. Today, formulators and manufacturers are under increasing pressure to deliver high cleaning efficiency while reducing energy and water consumption, controlling foam and managing increasingly complex combinations of metals and oils.In this webinar, we will demonstrate how the right cleaning additives can address these challenges and improve the efficiency of aqueous metal-cleaning formulations. Using comparative lab data and application-relevant testing, we will show how Syensqo’s cleaning additive toolbox—including Addikleen™ T2KD E and the Antarox® LF series—can help:—Achieve strong detergency at lower operating temperatures—Maintain performance across multiple metal substrates and challenging oils/soils—Control foam in immersion and spray processesWe will also share formulation optimization guidance to balance cleaning performance, foam control, solubility and total process efficiency (bath stability, etc).Join us for practical, formulation-focused insights to develop high-performance, energy-efficient and robust metal-cleaning solutions for today’s evolving industrial requirements.AgendaEmerging metal-cleaning challenges for manufacturers and formulators.How to achieve high cleaning efficiency under challenging conditions, sharing comparative application testing results for immersion and spray processes. Levers to improve process robustness and bath performance. four. How to select the right cleaning additives and formulation approach.

On Demand
Why Most Coating Failures Start Upstream: What Pretreatment Lines Should Really Be Monitoring
Pretreatment is the foundation of coating performance. When it's right, adhesion and corrosion resistance are consistent and predictable. When it's off — even slightly — problems often surface months later as rust, blistering or rework. In this webinar, Hubbard-Hall pretreatment expert Gary Raihl draws on decades of plant-floor and lab experience to focus on the three variables that most directly control results: time, temperature and testing. Rather than stopping at routine titrations, this session examines how cleaner exposure, stage temperature, line speed and bath control influence soil removal, water break and conversion coating formation. Attendees will see how these fundamentals translate into coating weight, adhesion and corrosion performance — and why good chemistry can still fall short when process drift or poor communication between operations, equipment and chemical teams goes unchecked. The goal is to clarify what should be monitored, why it matters and how small deviations in pretreatment conditions can become major coating problems downstream. Agenda: Why coating failures start in pretreatment: how incomplete cleaning or poor conversion lead to corrosion, adhesion loss and rework months later The impact of time and temperature on performance: how dwell time, bath temperature and line speed control soil removal and coating formation What to monitor beyond titrations: key indicators such as dwell time, temperature, water break, coating weight and in-process verification How testing connects the lab to the line: using salt spray, coating weight and process logs to confirm performance and detect drift early Why communication is a process control tool: how coordination between chemical, equipment and operations teams prevents compatibility issues and downstream failures

On Demand
Using Advancements in XRF Technology to Optimize Your Process Chemistry Control
Do you know what is in your electroplating bath? While X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has traditionally been used in electroplating facilities to measure the thickness and composition of plated coatings, many in the industry are now recognizing its value for monitoring the elemental composition of plating baths as well. XRF enables simultaneous multi-element analysis with significantly reduced sample preparation time and cost compared to conventional techniques. This enhanced visibility into bath chemistry allows for more consistent process checks, enabling operators to maintain bath stability and respond proactively to changes before they result in process disruptions. Advancements in automation and inline measurement now make it possible to integrate XRF directly into plating lines — facilitating real-time analysis and automated bath adjustments for optimized performance. Join Fischer Technology to explore the latest innovations in how electroplaters can leverage XRF to improve efficiency, quality and control in their operations. Agenda: How XRF technology can analyze plating bath chemistry How this analysis can improve your plating quality, efficiency and costs How this compares to alternate methods How to improve control and quality traceability with continuous monitoring using inline XRF

On Demand
Beyond Clean: How Surface Prep Chemistry Drives Powder Coating Performance
In powder coating, performance starts long before the powder ever hits the part. This session takes a closer look at the role of surface prep chemistry and how it shapes coating outcomes — from adhesion to corrosion resistance and overall durability. Attendees will hear real-world examples of how shops are adjusting their pretreatment process based on part geometry, metal type and soils — from cold rolled and hot forged steel to extruded and architectural aluminum. Hubbard-Hall will explore the role of cleaner-coaters, deoxidizers and derusters — and how to work through issues like stearates on drawn steel or paraffin-based lubricants. Whether you're running a five-stage washer or working through inconsistent results, this session shows how looking beyond time, temperature and concentration — and toward chemistry, process flow and substrate condition — can lead to more consistent, higher-performing finishes. Agenda: Understand how surface prep chemistry interacts with different metals and soils Learn how cleaner coaters, deoxidizers and derusters fit into a modern pretreatment process See how real shops have improved performance by adjusting their surface prep approach Gain troubleshooting tips for resolving common coating failures tied to inadequate prep
Calendar See All

2 Oct 2026
AMPP Nevada - 2026 One October Memorial Golf Tournament
The AMPP Nevada chapter hosts 2026 One October Memorial Golf Tournament on Oct. 2, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV.

4 Oct 2026
PCI Business Growth Summit
PCI hosts PCI Business Growth Summit on Oct. 4-6, 2026 in New Orleans, LA.

5 Oct 2026
AAC - Preconference Classes (Anodizing Essentials / Advanced)
AAC hosts Preconference Classes (Anodizing Essentials / Advanced) on Oct. 5-6, 2026 in Cincinnati, OH.

6 Oct 2026
35th Annual Anodizing Conference & Exposition
Over the course of two days, the Anodizing Conference features a dozen educational sessions covering key aspects of anodizing, in-conjunction classes to hone your knowledge and skillsand opportunities to connect with the anodizing community.

7 Oct 2026
Women in Manufacturing Summit
Join more than 2,000 professionals from October 7–9, 2026, at the WIM SUMMIT in Las Vegas for three days of learning, connection and inspiration.The WIM SUMMIT is where the manufacturing community goes ALL IN. It brings together professionals from across the industry and around the world for a dynamic experience focused on learning, networking and real conversations about what’s next in manufacturing. Whether you’re leading a team, growing your career or navigating change, the WIM SUMMIT is designed to meet you where you are.This year’s theme, ALL IN, is about showing up for the future of manufacturing together. As technology evolves, workforce needs shift, and the industry continues to change, moving forward takes new ideas and a shared commitment to what’s ahead. At the WIM SUMMIT, we’ll dig into what it means to go ALL IN – on talent and workforce strategy, smart manufacturing and AI, operational excellence, safety, sustainability, and wellbeing. WIM SUMMIT attendees will come away with practical takeaways, new perspectives, and connections that make an impact long after the event ends.

8 Oct 2026
NASF Connecticut Chapter October Meeting
To kick off its first meeting of the year, the NASF Connecticut Chapter (CT) is coming together Oct. 8. Doug Hughes, a pillar of CT's plating scene, will be returning to deliver a talk about preparing aluminum alloys. The one-day meeting starts at 5:00 p.m. Contact Larry Ryan by Oct. 6, 2026 (RYANL46@cox.net) if attending.

14 Sep 2026 New & Upcoming
CCAI - Finishing Academy Online Courses (Pretreatment / System Design / Powder / Liquid) Register Now
Suppliers See All

Additive Manufacturing

Business Development

Cleaning & Pretreatment

Inspection, Testing, Measurement

Manufacturing Execution & Automation Software & Controls

Manufacturing Services

Materials

Pollution Control & Sustainability

Supplies

Temperature/Pressure Control Equipment

Workholding

Get Listed!
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
Request Your Free Listing
Programs

Top Shops
Features stories and news on the adaptations of top shops, good habits, beneficial practices and successes that make a finishing shop a "Top Shop."

40 under 40
Young professionals are a vital asset to the finishing industry, and it is important to acknowledge those who are making great strides in shaping the industry's future.

Champions of the Industry
Products Finishing is proud to announce a new awards program that recognizes individuals in the industry that are making important contributions to forward the surface finishing industry.
Videos See All

29 Jun 2026 automotive
BMW Group Plant Leipzig Brings Terahertz-Based Measurement to Plastic Component Paint Inspection
In-line solution achieves digitalized nondestructive measurement of paint layer thickness for exterior plastic parts in series production for resource conservation and more accurate quality inspection deployment.

26 May 2026 measurement-testing
Advancing Bonding, Coating and Sealing to 4.0 Systems for Metals, Composites and More
Brighton Science uses decades of experience, 2-second surface measurements and a framework of data-based specs and KPIs to help manufacturers advance toward reliable, predictable bond quality for faster, high-performance production.

4 Apr 2026 40-under-40
Leaders in the Making: 40 Under 40 Class of 2026
PF honors emerging leaders in the finishing industry nominated for its annual 40 Under 40 program.

14 Nov 2025
Best Technology Automates Passivation System for High-Volume Metal Finishing
Introduction of a rail-mounted gantry automation for passivation and surface finishing provides consistency and efficiency for regulated manufacturing environments.

17 Sep 2025 marine
Functionalizing Surfaces for Sustainability
Riblets reduce drag, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise while boosting power output, flow rates, speed and efficiency.

20 Jun 2025
Engineering an Easy-to-Use, Explosion-Proof Cobot for Painting
The 20XP incorporates a UR20 cobot that’s modified to be explosion-proof and an innovative programming system to create a safe, easy-to-use method for automating liquid painting processes.
Collections See All

Improve Your Parts Cleaning Processes
10 Point Checklist to Improve Your Parts Cleaning Processes

Automotive Coatings
A collection of four PF features that delve into the technologies, processes and people working to provide protection for the automobiles of today.

The Case for Cleaning
Survey and analysis, with Hubbard-Hall, of Products Finishing Top Shops benchmarking attitudes and practices concerning parts cleaning.