Classic Colt pistol prior to restoration.
Classic Colt pistol prior to restoration.
Antique Derringer pistol.
Antique Derringer pistol.
Restored Colt pistol.
Restored Colt pistol.
Antique pistol.
Antique flint lockpistol.
Polished stainless steel fasteners on watercraft.
ElectroPolished stainless steel fasteners on watercraft.
Mountain climber's safety hook.
Mountain climber’s safety hook.

Application-by-Industry

Firearms and Outdoor Sporting Equipment

We offer metal finishing services for firearms and outdoor sporting equipment manufacturers that provide specialized coatings and treatments to enhance durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. These services include anodizing, bluing, and polishing, ensuring that your equipment performs reliably in harsh environments while maintaining a sleek, professional look.

Product manufacturers trust us with their professional metal finishing needs and ensures their products are protected and looks their best.  


Below are the most common finishes we provide:


Bluing (black oxide) is a traditional method that creates a thin protective layer of magnetite, offering moderate rust resistance and a beautiful blue-black, attractive finish. Often finished with a light oil protective layer.

Parkerizing, or phosphating, involves applying a phosphate coating that provides excellent corrosion resistance and a matte finish, often used on military firearms. 

Nickel plating offers a bright, corrosion-resistant surface, often used on decorative or high-wear parts. 

Anodizing is commonly used on aluminum parts, creating a hard, corrosion-resistant surface through an electrochemical process. Each of these finishes serves to protect the firearm from environmental factors, ensuring longevity and reliable performance.


Antique firearm restoration

Nickel Plating: Some antique firearms, especially those from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, featured nickel plating. This finish provides a bright, corrosion-resistant surface. Very early examples are adorned with brass or copper.

When restoring antique firearms, it’s important to use techniques and materials that are true to the period to maintain historical accuracy. We can help with those difficult polishing jobs on these rare components.

Call today if you don’t see what you are looking for, we’re always happy to help.


Outdoor Sporting Equipment Manufacturers

There is a myriad of products that face the hostile outdoor weather and environments. Products for camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, kayaking, hand winch components, tent parts, hiker and ski poles, and many more.

What these manufacturers have in common is that they trust Reliable for perfect finishes. The carabiner photo shows a product example for colorful anodized finishes specified by the manufacturer. As an added benefit, these beautiful, high-quality finishes help retailers sell more product.

Due to the immense variety of products produced for the Outdoors Industry, we encourage manufacturers of these products and components to call today to discuss all the options Reliable Plating & Polishing can provide.



Rifle body for well-known firearms manufacturer, racked for black anodizing process.
Rifle body for well-known firearms manufacturer, racked for black anodizing process.
Caribiner for hiking and climbing
Outdoor equipment manufacturer’s products, such as this carabiner for hiking and climbing, require proper finishes.
Component for well-known firearms manufacturer.
Component for well-known firearms manufacturer.
Component for well-known firearms manufacturer.

(Left image above) Shows product components from a well-known firearms manufacturer being prepared for the anodizing process. (Lower right) Image shows those same components shown with a durable and attractive black anodize finish.

Firearms, Gunsmithing and Outdoor Equipment Industries

For Modern Manufacturers we have the functional finishes you require

We offer firearm manufacturers the highest durability and aesthetics for their product components. Higher-volume, high quantity finishing is our specialty.

For the collector and restorer, we can provide many of the finishes you need to restore that historical piece.