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Depositing metal plating on plastics dates to the 1930s, when it was accomplished by roughening the outer part of the plastic in order to add a conductive metal, and then electroplating the combined plastic/metal product. Both vacuum and electro plating can be used to apply metal plating to plastic parts, although the parts must be suitably prepared before undergoing the plating process. The most common types of metals used for plating on plastics are copper, chromium, gold, silver and nickel, although other metals can be used. The process is commonly applied to various electronics components, as well as automotive parts and surfaces.

In addition to the aesthetic advantages, plating also provides a number of potential physical enhancements to the plastic. These include added corrosion resistance, strength (in certain respects), and chemical resistance. Among the plastics plated by the electroplating process are acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastics, Teflon and ABS/PC blends. Various metallic colors are also available, from gold and brass to silver and black.

Vapor deposition coatings are applied to plastic surfaces mainly for decorative purposes. In this process, the plastic component is placed in a vacuum chamber with the metal that will be used to plate it. The metal is then vaporized by an electric charge, whereupon it settles on the surface of the plastic, creating a metal coating. The electroplating process differs from vapor deposition in that the plastic component is placed within a solution, which is subjected to an electric current. Due to the nature of the solution and the anode, as well as the properties of correctly treated plastics, a layer of metal will form on the plastic. This layer can be enhanced with additional layers of plating, so that a copper coat can eventually be followed by nickel, chrome and satin steel layers. Plated plastic parts are advantageous in that they are considerably more lightweight, flexible and inexpensive than similar metal components.