--- title: Galvanizing vs. Electroplating description: For the Steel Fabricator and Construction Trades Hot Dip Galvanizing is the standard zinc coating to protect against rust. One alternative, when a finer surface finish is required is Electroplating. image: https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hubfs/150A-x-1-16-HDG-3.jpg --- [![Providing Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabricators](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/file-14727826-jpg/images/bannerfixed-webrdy.jpg?width=750&name=bannerfixed-webrdy.jpg "Providing Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabricators")](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) - [![the steel supply company](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-1.jpg?width=88&name=logo-1.jpg "the steel supply company")](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) - [![The Steel Supply Co, Inc](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hubfs/top-text-new.png)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) - [![Specialized Supplies for Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabricators](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hubfs/bottom-text-new.png)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) ![BLOG TheSteelSupplyCo banner950x250](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/file-730735349-jpg/images/blog_thesteelsupplyco_banner950x250.jpg?width=760&name=blog_thesteelsupplyco_banner950x250.jpg) ## Steel Manufacturing Blog: Keeping it Steel # Galvanizing vs. Electroplating Posted on Thu, Jul 31, 2025 @ 04:24 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) For the Steel Fabricator and Construction Trades Hot Dip Galvanizing is the standard zinc coating to protect against rust. One alternative, when a finer surface finish is required is Electroplating. Hot Dip Galvanizing is durable and inexpensive when compared to the various other methods available. It does, however, leave a rough, uneven surface with varying visual effects. The surface variations are partly due to the system used to apply the zinc, which is an “un-controlled application” of zinc in its liquid form.![150A-x-1-16-HDG-3](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/150A-x-1-16-HDG-3.jpg?width=300&height=227&name=150A-x-1-16-HDG-3.jpg) Fig. 1 Shown is [Hot Dip Galvanized Slotted Steel Shim.](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/steel-shim-single) Note the inconsistent surface.   Electroplating, on the other hand, will produce a very even, uniform and more reflective surface, similar to a gloss finish. This “controlled application” is the result of the zinc being transferred to the workpiece using an anode / cathode system with particles as small as 0.0002”. The thickness of a finished electroplate coating can be as thin as 0.0005”. Fig. 2![150A-x-1-16-Electroplated](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/150A-x-1-16-Electroplated.jpg?width=275&height=221&name=150A-x-1-16-Electroplated.jpg) The electroplated shim shows the consistent and reflective finish.       Due to the thinness of the coating, electroplating will not offer the longevity of Hot Dip Galvanizing. Therefore, it is usually not specified in locations with marine atmosphere, heavy vehicular omissions or constant exposure to the elements. ![TR-Electroplated-300-x-416](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TR-Electroplated-300-x-416.jpg?width=200&height=277&name=TR-Electroplated-300-x-416.jpg)   Fig. 3 The electroplated threads are perfectly clear and the coating thickness is perfectly consistent. In this case [Hot Dip Galvanizing](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/bid/103440/hot-dip-galvanizing-threaded-steel-anchor-bolts-turnbuckle-rods-threaded-studs) would add inconsistency and thickness to the coating, which requires extra tolerance on the nut fit.     Where electroplating does become desirable is when a more visually appealing coating will enhance the finished product, or greater accuracy is required. Fig. 3 shows the consistent finish in the threads on an Anchor Bolt and Threaded Embed Stud. 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