What surface finishes are available for zinc fashion accessories?
What Surface Finishes Are Available for Zinc Fashion Accessories?
Surface Requirements for Fashion Zinc Castings
Zinc alloys—especially Zamak 3 and Zamak 5—are widely used in fashion accessories like buckles, jewelry bases, handbag hardware, eyewear frames, and branded trim. These applications demand high surface quality, aesthetic versatility, and resistance to wear, tarnish, and environmental exposure. Zinc's excellent castability and fine surface detail make it ideal for complex shapes with decorative finishes.
Common Surface Finishing Options for Zinc Accessories
Electroplating
Electroplating is the most popular finish for zinc fashion components. It provides metallic sheen, corrosion resistance, and wear durability.
Nickel plating: Bright, satin, or black finishes for jewelry, watches, or trim
Chrome plating: High-luster mirror finish for decorative hardware
Gold plating: Thin-layer real gold for luxury products
Copper or antique bronze: For vintage or classical aesthetics
Trivalent chrome: Eco-friendly alternative with modern metallic tones
Electroplating is typically applied over a copper base layer to improve adhesion and surface smoothness.
Painting
Painting is ideal for fashion parts requiring specific color palettes, matte effects, or branding overlays.
Acrylic or PU coatings: Offer high color stability and scratch resistance
Soft-touch finishes: Enhance tactile quality for items like buttons or wearable trims
Metallic and pearlescent paints: Mimic polished metals while reducing cost
Used in accessories where visual identity or seasonal design variation is key.
Powder Coating
Powder coating delivers a thicker, more durable finish than painting, available in matte, gloss, and textured variants.
Excellent chip resistance for belt buckles, bag hardware, or zippers
UV-stable for outdoor or sports fashion products
Custom colors for collection matching or brand uniformity
Polishing and Brushing
Polishing and tumbling are common pre-finishing or stand-alone techniques for metal-look aesthetics.
Mirror polish: Used on exposed metal jewelry, badges, and trims
Brushed satin: Clean, modern look for logos or metallic surfaces
Prepares parts for plating or clear coating
Clear Coating and Lacquering
To preserve the raw or plated appearance, clear coatings are often added for additional protection against oxidation and wear.
Applied after electroplating or polishing
Common in costume jewelry and fashion fasteners
Maintains shine and prevents discoloration during wear
Neway’s Finishing Support for Zinc Accessories
Neway delivers high-quality zinc fashion components with:
Precision zinc die casting of logos, ornaments, buckles, and tags
Full-service surface treatment for plating, painting, or coating
Pre-finishing processes like polishing, brushing, and CNC machining
Support for small-batch sampling and high-volume branded production
