332813 - Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring

Introduction

If you’re involved in the manufacturing sector focusing on specialty metal finishing, NAICS code 332813 is a crucial classification to understand. This code encompasses businesses engaged in electroplating, plating, polishing, anodizing, and coloring metal products—processes that improve metal aesthetics and enhance corrosion resistance. Whether you’re a contractor looking to identify industry players or a manufacturer seeking compliance knowledge, this guide unpacks everything you need to know about NAICS 332813.

What is NAICS Code 332813?

NAICS code 332813 represents establishments primarily engaged in electroplating, plating, polishing, anodizing, and coloring of metal products. These finishing processes are essential for industries requiring enhanced appearance, durability, or specialized metal properties.

Key Processes Covered Under NAICS 332813

• Electroplating
• Metal plating (including gold, silver, chrome)
• Polishing and buffing
• Anodizing of aluminum and other metals
• Coloring metals without applying coating
• Cleaning, pickling, and descaling metals
• Sandblasting and media blasting for surface preparation
• Tumbling metals for cleaning and polishing

Sector and Typical Business Activities

Sector: Manufacturing

This NAICS code falls squarely in the manufacturing sector, particularly specialized metal finishing operations. Businesses under code 332813 serve a myriad of industries including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods, providing critical surface treatments.

Typical Business Activities

• Electroplating services – Applying a metal coating through electrochemical deposition.
• Metal polishing and finishing – Enhancing the surface texture and shine.
• Anodizing aluminum products – Creating a protective oxide layer on aluminum.
• Metal cleaning and pickling – Preparing metal surfaces for finishing by removing oxides and contaminants.
• Chrome, gold, and silver plating – Depositing precious metals for aesthetics and protection.
• Sandblasting and tumbling – Abrasive processes to clean and polish metal components.

Size Standards for Eligibility

For government contracting and small business purposes, the size standard for NAICS 332813 is typically 500 employees or fewer. This allows small to medium enterprises involved in electroplating and metal finishing to qualify for SBA programs and federal contracts.

Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 332813

• A company specializing in automotive chrome plating.
• A manufacturer providing anodized aluminum architectural panels.
• An industrial supplier offering metal polishing and buffing services for aerospace components.
• A small business performing gold and silver plating for decorative metal products.
• A facility focused on sandblasting and cleaning metal parts for manufacturing industries.

Detailed Code Description Table

Service / Activity	Included Under NAICS 332813?
Anodizing metals and metal products for the trade	Yes
Buffing metals and metal products for the trade	Yes
Chrome plating metals and metal products	Yes
Cleaning and descaling metals and metal products	Yes
Coloring metals and metal products (except coating)	Yes
Depolishing metals and metal products	Yes
Electroplating metals and formed products	Yes
Gold and silver plating metals and metal products	Yes
Laminating metals and metal formed products without fabricating	Yes
Pickling metals and metal products	Yes
Plastic, glass, or other media blasting services	Yes
Plating metals and metal products	Yes
Polishing metals and metal products	Yes
Sandblasting metals and metal products	Yes
Tumbling (cleaning and polishing) metals	Yes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of metal finishes are covered by NAICS 332813?

NAICS 332813 covers a wide range of metal finishing processes including electroplating, polishing, anodizing, coloring (without coatings), sandblasting, tumbling, and pickling.

Is anodizing considered part of electroplating?

No, anodizing is an electrochemical process that increases oxide layers on metals, primarily aluminum, whereas electroplating deposits a metal coating onto a surface.

What is the employee size standard for businesses classified under this NAICS code?

Businesses operating under NAICS 332813 are considered small if they have 500 or fewer employees for government contracting purposes.

Can companies providing metal cleaning services be classified under NAICS 332813?

Yes, cleaning, descaling, and pickling of metals are included services under this NAICS code.

Which industries commonly use services under NAICS 332813?

Industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, construction, and consumer goods often require metal finishing services classified under NAICS 332813.

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In summary, NAICS code 332813 identifies specialized manufacturers engaged in crucial metal finishing processes that extend product life, improve aesthetics, and enhance performance. Whether you operate a plating facility, anodizing service, or polishing shop, understanding this classification helps ensure proper industry identification and eligibility for relevant contracting opportunities.