Order black oxide kits if you are able to perform the service yourself

You can handle small jobs yourself by ordering the correct black oxide kit. Choose a company offering a variety of black oxide coatings, post treatment finishes and application forms with knowledgeable representatives to help you make the right decisions about your project.

I recommend: Have a Heatbath Corporation representative contact you to learn more about their black oxide conversion coatings. John Schneider and Associates, Inc. (JSA) offers black oxide in immersion or brush/swab forms.

Decide between hot or cold black oxide plating

Cold black solutions are typically more suitable for touch-up applications. Hot molten baths, operating at high temperatures, are difficult to control and they do not consistently produce a uniform color. Choose based on whether you will be doing it yourself and what type of finish you need.

I recommend: EPI — Electrochemical Products, Inc. offers both hot and cold black oxide processes. Barrel Plating Service also offers both hot and cold black oxide processes in their plant.

Select black oxide plating businesses to make your job easier

If you have a bigger job, or if you do not have the space necessary to do it yourself, working with a provider of black oxide services can help your small business get the job done.

I recommend: Cleveland Black Oxide is the largest commercial black oxide company in the United States. They specialize in the processing of steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, die cast zinc and powdered metal parts. Metlab-Potero is a commercial heat treater providing the industry with a variety of heat treating and surface treatment, including black oxide finishing.