Metal Finishing Calculator

Calculate surface area and material needed for plating, powder coating, painting, or anodizing.

Finishing Process

Part Shape

Number of Parts

Unit

Coating Thickness

Thickness Unit

Finishing Cost ($/sq ft)

Total Surface Area

sq ft (all parts)

Area per Part

sq ft

Material Volume

in³ total coating

Powder/Paint Needed

lbs (with waste)

Estimated Cost

Process Notes

Metal Finishing Guide

Powder Coating: 2-6 mils typical. Durable, wide color range. Requires oven curing at 375-400F.
Liquid Paint: 1-3 mils per coat. More color options, lower equipment cost. Multiple coats often needed.
Zinc Plating: 0.2-1 mil. Corrosion protection for steel. Hot-dip galvanizing is 2-5 mils.
Chrome Plating: 0.01-0.05 mils (decorative), 2-20 mils (hard chrome).
Anodizing: Type II: 0.2-1 mil, Type III (hard): 1-4 mils. Aluminum only.

Weight of metal shapes.

Bend allowance.

Steel section properties.

Welding job costs.

Hardness conversion.

Heat treatment temps.