Coatings may be applied by many different techniques with coating thickness’ varying from several microns to several millimetres. Thin coatings are usually applied by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and Chemically Formed Processes (CFP) with other techniques e.g. High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF), plasma and flame spraying together with Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA), weld over-laying and laser cladding, being used to deposit thicker coatings.

Chrome plating (less commonly chromium plating), often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal or plastic object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness. Sometimes a less expensive imitator of chrome may be used for aesthetic purposes.

The metal/thermal spray process is a coating process used to change the surface properties of a part by adding a layer(s) of material to increase durability, hardness, increase or reduce friction, increase corrosion protection, change electrical properties or even to replace worn or damaged material.

Machining is any of various processes in which a piece of raw material is cut into a desired final shape and size by a controlled material-removal process. The processes that have this common theme, controlled material removal, are today collectively known as subtractive manufacturing, in distinction from processes of controlled material addition, which are known as additive manufacturing. Exactly what the “controlled” part of the definition implies can vary, but it almost always implies the use of machine tools (in addition to just power tools and hand tools).