masking supplies for metal fabrication silicone caps and plugs 3M tapes from CFS

Masking metal products prior to coating processes—such as powder coating, e-coating, plating, or anodizing—can be complex due to the variety of part geometries, coating applications, and performance requirements. Effective masking must withstand high temperatures, chemical exposure, and mechanical forces while maintaining a tight seal to prevent bleed-through or edge build-up. Irregular shapes, threaded holes, and tight tolerances add further challenges, often requiring custom solutions or precise sizing. 

There are a variety of masking materials that can be tailored to address these specific challenges and ensure consistent coating quality and process efficiency.

Precision Masking Starts with Proper Sizing

Size selection errors are surprisingly common, especially when only hole or thread dimensions are known. A plug that looks like a perfect fit on paper may not perform as expected during production. Gather all relevant information about dimensions, application or use, temperature conditions, and material type, to select the right-sized plug.

Our online product search tools can also help identify the correct part for the application.  

Fast, Flexible Customization

Masking can be done a variety of ways, such as die cut tapes or films, silicone caps and plugs; large rolls can be slit to size to match the needs of the part. Custom-designed silicone caps and plugs can also be produced to match specific geometries. A true, production quality 3D printed silicone rubber prototype can also be created for testing.

Common Applications in Metal Finishing

CFS masking products are widely used for surface protection during metal finishing. Examples include:

  • Die cut discs, donuts and tabs for powder coating, e-coating, wet spray, and plating
  • Caps and plugs for masking threaded and non-threaded holes, weld nuts, and PEMs
  • Flame spray and abrasive blasting protection tapes
  • Custom molded or extruded rubber components for high-wear masking applications
  • High- and low-temperature masking for curing ovens and extreme process environments
  • Adhesive-backed die-cuts and pressure-sensitive tapes
  • Self-threading plugs designed for efficient hole sealing
  • Hanging hooks used in racking parts during powder coating and e-coating operations

Materials That Meet Industrial Demands

CFS supplies a wide range of materials engineered to meet the demands of metal finishing:

  • 3M industrial tapes including: 2517, 425, 467MP, 468MP, 501, 764, and 5929
  • Polyester tapes and die-cuts (green, blue, red, orange, rusty red)
  • Glass cloth and polyimide high-temperature tapes and die-cuts
  • Silicone, vinyl, and EPDM caps and plugs
  • Aluminum and lead foil tapes
  • Industrial-grade crepe tape and die-cuts

 

Get the Right Fit, Fast

From off-the-shelf components to fully custom-engineered solutions, CFS helps metal finishing operations streamline their masking processes with speed and precision. Contact us today to discuss your masking requirements—or explore our digital selection tools and get started.