Electroplated 304 Shell: Anti-Corrosion for Humid and Coastal Roasteries

Manila, Jeddah, Mombasa, Guayaquil: a large share of our customers roast in places where the air is warm, wet and often salty. A machine that looks fine in a Shenzhen showroom can show rust at the panel seams within two years in that air. The YS series shell is electroplated for that reason, and the same process gives us the gold, rose gold and titanium finishes on trim. This page explains both.

Where this step sits

Electroplating is a surface-treatment step after grinding and polishing, alongside powder coating, before assembly.

What electroplating is

Electroplating deposits a thin, continuous metal layer onto a part by passing a current through a solution containing the metal. The part is cleaned and activated so the layer bonds to the base metal, then plated, rinsed and — for decorative finishes — protected with a clear coat. The plated layer is metal, not paint: it does not chip, and it seals the surface underneath it.

Two uses on our roasters

The YS series shell. The outer shell of the YS-6, YS-12, YS-15 and the industrial YS sizes is electroplated 304 steel. The plating seals the panel surface and, importantly, the seams and edges where corrosion on a stainless panel usually starts. The catalogue phrase for this is anti-corrosion and anti-humidity, and that is what it is for: a roaster that runs in high humidity, near the sea, or in a building without climate control, without staining at the seams.

Decorative plated trim. On any series, polished stainless trim — face plate, hopper, cooling tray surround, handles — can be plated in gold, rose gold, titanium and similar finishes. The all-gold SD-1.5 Pro on this page is a customer machine. The finish is a metal layer over polished 304, protected by a clear coat, and it is chosen for appearance rather than protection.

How we do it

Plating is carried out in our own plant. Parts are prepared — ground, polished where the finish requires it, cleaned and activated — because plating reproduces the surface beneath it exactly: a scratch under gold plating is a gold scratch. Plated parts are inspected for coverage, adhesion and colour consistency before they go to assembly, and decorative finishes are clear-coated. We do not publish bath chemistry or layer thickness on this page; ask if you are conducting an engineering review.

What this means for you

• A YS roaster in a humid or coastal shop does not develop rust lines at the panel seams and fastener holes.
• Cleaning is with ordinary stainless cleaner; there is no paint layer on the shell to chip.
• If you want the machine to be a centrepiece, plated trim gives you gold, rose gold or titanium over a body in your colour — and it is a metal finish, not a painted imitation.

How to verify this on any roaster

Ask which parts are plated, which are painted, and which are bare stainless. On a machine described as “gold”, ask whether the finish is plating over polished stainless or a gold-coloured paint or film. On a machine for a coastal location, ask what protects the panel seams and fastener holes, because that is where corrosion starts.

Frequently asked questions

Is the electroplated shell on all series?

The electroplated 304 shell is a feature of the YS series. SD and DY series bodies are powder-coated steel with brushed or polished stainless panels and trim, which is also suitable for humid climates; the YS shell adds a further layer of protection for the harshest environments. See the YS series.

Does gold plating wear off?

Decorative plating is protected by a clear coat and wears well in normal café use. Abrasive cleaners and scouring pads will damage any plated finish; the manual specifies the cleaning method.

Can plated trim be repaired?

A damaged plated part is usually replaced rather than re-plated on site. Trim parts are available as spares.

Does plating affect the machine's heat or performance?

No. Plating is on the outer shell and trim, not on the drum, firebox or any heat-path part.

Final thoughts

The shell of a roaster does not roast coffee, but it is what your customers see and what the climate attacks. Plating is how we protect one and enhance the other. See also brushed and mirror finishes and powder-coated colours, or our regional guides for the Philippines and the Gulf. Or return to the full build sequence.

Last updated: September 17, 2026