Plastic enclosure surface treatment: Which is more suitable, sandblasting, electroplating, or IML?

Everywhere you go, there are plastic enclosures guarding equipment and machines against dust, water and mayhem. But merely building a plastic box won’t do the trick. And the look and feel of its surface is hugely important. At Hongfa Shunda, we understand surface treatment makes some enclosures stronger and more beautiful. Plastic shell surface treatment is generally divided into the following three types: sandblasting, electroplating, and IML (In-Mold Labeling). They each alter the plastic in different ways, and choosing which one to use is a matter of what you want. Which surface treatment is best for wholesale buyers and which one makes things more durable and pretty

How Can I Get the Best Surface Treatment for Plastic Enclosures Wholesale

Wholesale purchasers tend to prefer what is cheap, pretty and functional for numerous units. This can be done easily by sandblasting, in which small grits strikes the plastic surfaces to create roughness. This helps paint or glue stick better. It’s not too pricey, and it does the job if you’re going for a matte or sandy look. Conversely, electroplating coats the plastic with a thin layer of metal, such as chrome or nickel. The result is a shiny, smooth finish that feels premium. But it is more expensive, and requires special machines and chemicals. IML, meanwhile, places a printed label directly into the plastic mold as the enclosure is molded. That means the design is actually part of the plastic itself, so it’s not only very durable but color fast. For volume shoppers, IML can be a time and money saver since the label will not peel off or fade quickly. It also enables intricate images or branding directly on the surface. At Hongfa Shunda, we see a large number of wholesale buyers who want to achieve stunning, vivid decals without having to go the extra mile with painting choosing IML. But if the order is large, and the look plain, sandblasting could be the path of least resistance. Smaller orders are less commonly electroplated due to the expense and environmental impact. So the best finish comes down to how many cabinets you need, what look you desire and how much you’re willing to spend. Our experience is that having conversations like this with us help buyers arrive at what is the best balance for them

What is The Surface Treatment Method for Bettering the Durability and Appearance of Plastic Enclosures

When it comes to making plastic enclosures last longer and look better, the two surface treatments do different jobs. Sandblasting alters the texture of the plastic, which hides scratches or fingerprints. This keeps the enclosure looking good for a longer time, even in hazardous environments. Sandblasting in its own right, however, does not protect from weather or chemicals. Electroplating has the added advantage of adding a metal layer that can protect or even replace the plastic being worn out. It provides also a glossy surface for attention getting. But if the plastic is bent too much, the metal layer may crack or lose adhesion since metal and plastic expand at different rates in response to changes in temperature. This also means that you have to be careful with electroplated surfaces. IML, though, involves molding the pattern and color into the plastic itself. This makes the surface really tough against fading, scratching and peeling. IML is often the best option for devices which are used outdoors or in harsh locations. It preserves the appearance of the enclosure for years. We have attempted all the three approaches at Hongfa Shunda. We see IML-treated enclosures remain “new” much longer than their untreated counterparts. Occasionally customers desire the metallic shine of electroplating, “but we caution them on how one can only abuse this kind of thing to a certain level. Sandblasting is good if you want a no-frills, gritty surface, but do not require any additional concealment. So, when both durability and looks are important, IML generally comes out on top. But the ultimate decision comes down to your product’s use and the depth of your budget. We assist buyers to consider these points systematically

Deciding what to do with plastic housing surfaces isn't easy. Hongfa Shunda always go out to listen to everything that customers need. Whether it’s sandblasting, electroplating or IML, everything has its place. We’ll make the perfect match so your product feels good, stands up and delivers on your goals

Where to Buy Plastic Enclosures Wholesale with High-End Surface Finishes

When you’re looking for plastic enclosures with surfaces that look great, it’s vital to discover a trustworthy source of good quality at reasonable prices. Wholesale vendors are a good option because they offer large volumes at lower prices. One such company which leads in the domain is Hongfa Shunda. They offer plastic enclosures with various surface finishes that appear glossy, smooth or even textured, depending on what you desire. Purchasing from a wholesaler like Hongfa Shunda means you receive enclosures that are reasonable priced and have been built with craftsmanship and attention to detail

Plastic cases are common in products like electronics, tools and machines. The surface finish of these enclosures is important because it influences the appearance and feel of the product. Some finish options make the enclosure look glossy and new, while others give its surface a rough or matte appearance. At Hongfa Shunda you will get plastic closure processed by hottest process like sandblast, electroplate-ment, IML (in-mold labelling). Each of these ways alters the plastic’s surface in a special way

Ordering wholesale from Hongfa Shunda also allows you to order quite a few pieces at one time, ideal if you have a large project or are price conscious. The company assists clients in selecting the appropriate finish surface for what the product requires. Whether you prefer a metallic-like finish through electroplating, a tactile feel by sandblasting or colorful graphics using IML to Hongfa Shunda. This makes them an excellent source for plastic cases with quality surface finishes, that meet or exceed industry standards and look professional

How Is IML Superior to Sandblasting and Electroplating for the Quality of a Plastic Enclosure

IML, sandblast and electroplating are the three commonly used surface treatment methods of plastic box. All of them have good things and some stuff that might not be as good. In terms of quality, these methods alter the appearance and texture of the plastic differently

IML, which stands for In-Mold Labeling, places a printed film directly into the plastic during molding. So the design is actually embedded into the enclosure. The end result is a durable, smooth surface that won't peel or fade for a long time. IML is ideal for creating enclosures with loud colors or intricate images. And it prevents the plastic from getting scratched and dirty. IML has proven popular at Hongfa Shunda because it provides a clean, shiny appearance that seems new even after long-term use

There is also a different process called sandblasting where small particles of sand are accelerated toward the plastic substrate. This renders the surface rough or matt. You might consider sandblasting if what you’re after is a non-glossy look that disguises fingerprints and scratches. It also makes it that paint and glue will stick better if you need to add more layers in the future. But sandblasting doesn’t impart color or shine on its own. When customers want a sturdier, textured finish that feels good in the hand, Hongfa Shunda caps off some of its covers with sandblasting

Electroplating is a process of immune treatment in which that plastic surface is coated with metallic like material. This gives the enclosure a shiny look as if it is made of actual metal or chrome. It also protects the plastic from damage and makes it stronger. Electroplating can be done for customers who need their plastic enclosures to look smooth and metallic for a sleek appearance

In brief, IML is great if you're after colorful, smooth and enduring designs. Sandblasting works well for textures that are rough and matte, hiding wear. For shiny, metallic-look finishes that pop, electroplating is the way to go. Hongfa Shunda can assist in determining the best practices out of what your building needs to do and look like

What to Choose for the Surface Treatment of Large Plastic Enclosure Orders

While producing your coasters, you spend a considerable amount up front when ordering hundreds of plastic enclosures, so it’s critical to choose a surface treatment that can deliver consistent quality for large scale jobs. The right call is a function of speed, cost and what kind of product you want in the end. Hongfa Shunda has a lot of experience in this respect because they have customers who have placed big orders

IML is usually the ideal solution for large orders. The reason is that the film applied in IML is produced in larger sheets and the labelling occurs during moulding. That means fewer extra steps, which ultimately saves you time and money as we build thousands of enclosures. Also, IML really does provide a strong coat of color that doesn’t seem to wear off in the time before my next several days’ worth of excursions. For anyone ordering big batches, IML means high quality and lower cost. Hongfa Shunda’s highly skilled team ensure that the IML films are perfectly positioned and that every enclosure looks identical

And for large quantities of orders, sandblasting is viable as well, but it doesn’t work quite as quickly because each piece has to be blasted individually. This could be problematic if you want thousands of enclosures right away. Sandblasting is fine if you desire a special texture, but it also may be more expensive due to the additional effort. Hongfa Shunda can sandblast for bulk orders, but if you need the finished product quickly they may recommend something different

Electroplating is a nice finish but typically slower and more expensive than bulk. The metal coating must be very controlled not to have defects and the process involves a chemical that requires safety precautions. For extremely large orders, this makes electroplating less feasible. Hongfa Shunda does offer electroplating for large orders, but if you’re looking to save time and money they usually prefer in-mold labeling instead

Large volume plastic enclosure orders, for example, IML is more or less the most appropriate one in terms of cost vs speed VS quality. Sandblasting and electroplating are also good for special needs, but they might take longer or be more expensive. Having worked with so many customers, Hongfa Shunda can advise their clients on the most suitable surface treatment, based on both order volume and desired appearance. This way all the enclosures look beautiful and on schedule for the project