Masking - A quick buyer's guide
Masking is an essential part of the production and finishing process for manufacturers, fabricators and machine builders.
However, mastering this process can be a challenge. The key to success: select an appropriate material suited to your operating temperature and application process. We recommend that you request free samples so that you can try before you buy, as a number of variables are involved in each masking process. You can also download free CADs now.
Whether it be shot blasting, powder coating, e-coating, anodizing, plating or wet painting, there's a suitable masking cap, masking plug, masking tape or masking tubing for your needs.
Masking Tapered Plugs
Makes the process more efficient with quick and easy-to-apply solutions. One size fits multiple holes, which saves valuable time masking.
FEATURES: Reusable for better value and available as a solid plug or a hollow core to aid in compression
MATERIAL: EPDM and Silicone masking plugs handle operating temperatures up to 150°C (302°F) and 250°C (482°F)
SPECIFICATION: High chemical resistance. Prevents coating or colorant from getting in holes or on threads. EPDM comes in black, Silicone available in multiple color-coded sizes
PERFECT FOR: Threaded and plain holes
Masking Straight Caps
A reusable and cost-effective all-rounder perfect for protecting studs, pins and tube ends.
FEATURES: Maintain color conformity in the masking process with your choice of a variety of colors
MATERIAL: EPDM 150°C (302°F) and Silicone 250°C (482°F) material options offer perfect solutions, no matter what your application – also consider a high-temp PVC (up to 170°C/338°F) flexible end cap, which offers an excellent seal. Masking caps for painting are available in a wide range of materials, because temperature is not a factor
SPECIFICATION: Almost 200 variations make it easy to find just the right diameter and height needed for any application
PERFECT FOR: Tube or stud ends
Masking Pull Plugs
Make your life easier using pull tabs to pull though threaded and un-threaded through holes.
FEATURES: Enhance efficiency in your production process by saving time with pull-tabs for fast installation and removal
MATERIAL: Choose from Silicone 250°C / 482°F or EPDM 150°C / 302°F, depending on the application. Both safely protect during anodizing, shot blasting and painting
PERFECT FOR: Through holes
Masking Hooks
Efficiently hang your products during the finishing process with wire hooks, both round wire hooks and square. Perfect for hanging sheet metal or machinery in painting, surface treatments and material handling.
FEATURES: Offered in various styles, shapes and lengths
MATERIAL: Round and square cold drawn spring steel allows a current to pass while providing a ground
SPECIFICATION: Available in ‘C’, ‘S’, ‘V’ and 90° hook configurations with holding capacities up to 220 pounds (100kg)
PERFECT FOR: Machinery
Masking Tapes and Discs
Caps or plugs can’t cover irregular shapes. That’s the job of masking discs and tapes, which remove cleanly and leave no residue. You can get colored masking tape and also .
FEATURES: Available in a roll length or masking discs
MATERIAL: Produced in Polyimide, Polyester, Silicone, Fiberglass Cloth and Crepe Paper, with operating temperatures up to +500°F (260°C)
SPECIFICATION: Available for a wide range of temperatures and applications
PERFECT FOR: Irregular sizes and profiles
Which material for your masking process?
There are many variables involved, such as temperature and hole diameters. We recommend that you request a free sample to test your application. For example, not every EPDM solution can be used in blasting. It’s therefore critical to refer to the solution’s technical data sheet. The guide below gives you some guidance. For complete service temperature and other physical properties, also ask us for the material’s technical data sheet.*
| Process | Blasting | Powder Coating | E-Coating | Anodizing | Plating | Wet Painting |
| Recommended Materials | TPR EPDM Silicone Fiberglass |
Silicone High-Temp PVC EPDM Polyester Polyimide |
Silicone High-Temp PVC EPDM Polyester Polyimide |
Silicone TPR Polyester TPE |
TPR TPE EPDM PVC Silicone Polyester Polyimide |
Crepe Paper TPR EPDM PVC Polyester |
*We do not assume any liability for the materials, specifications or information provided. For complete service temperature and other physical properties of our product’s material, please refer to the actual product material technical data sheet (available upon request).
Applications and recommended solutions
Caps – Silicone
| Process |
Blasting |
Powder Coating |
E-Coating |
Anodizing |
Plating |
Wet Painting |
| Masking Straight Caps |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
| Masking Cones |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| Masking Cones |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Caps – TPR, PVC & Paper
| Process |
Blasting |
Powder Coating |
E-Coating |
Anodizing |
Plating |
Wet Painting |
| Flexible End Caps – Acid Resistant, TPR |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| Flexible End Cap, PVC |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| Paper Caps, Crepe |
✔ |
✔ |
Plugs – EPDM
| Process |
Blasting |
Powder Coating |
E-Coating |
Anodizing |
Plating |
Wet Painting |
| High-Temp Tapered Plug |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| Masking Flangeless Plugs |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| Masking Pull Plug |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Plugs – Silicone & TPR
| Process |
Blasting |
Powder Coating |
E-Coating |
Anodizing |
Plating |
Wet Painting |
| High-Temp Tapered Plugs, Silicone |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| Masking Flangeless Plugs, TPR |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Masking Tubing – Silicone
| Process |
Blasting |
Powder Coating |
E-Coating |
Anodizing |
Plating |
Wet Painting |
| Masking Straight Tubing |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| Masking Star Tubing |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Tapes
| Process |
Blasting |
Powder Coating |
E-Coating |
Anodizing |
Plating |
Wet Painting |
| Fiberglass |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|||
| Paper, Crepe |
✔ |
✔ |
||||
| Polyimide |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
| Polyester |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download for free. You can also request free samples to ensure the solutions you’ve chosen are exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which product will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.