ISO-Certified Subcontract Conformal Coating Services
Flexible PCB coating outsourcing, process development and production support
SCH Services Ltd provides subcontract conformal coating services for PCB assemblies, specialising in liquid coatings, masking, cleaning, inspection and selected ultra-thin coating strategies. From prototypes and NPI batches through to ongoing production, our ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified processes support repeatable quality, traceability and practical process control.
We help customers protect PCB assemblies from moisture, contamination, chemicals and operating environment risks while managing the real production challenges that often decide success: geometry, masking, cleanliness, coating selection, cure control and inspection.
Where a conventional conformal coating may add unnecessary thickness, masking complexity or weight, SCH can also assess whether advanced functional coatings, hydrophobic coatings or ultra-thin coatings are more appropriate for the application.
SCH provides subcontract conformal coating services with controlled application, inspection and traceable process management for PCB assemblies.
Choose the Right Service Route
Different coating projects need different levels of support. Some customers need straightforward subcontract coating. Others need help defining the coating process before production can be released.
π οΈ Subcontract coating for production or repeat batches
Use SCH when you need controlled coating, masking, inspection and batch traceability without adding internal coating capacity.
π Process development for difficult assemblies
Use SCH when geometry, connectors, masking, contamination or coating spread make the process difficult to control.
π§ͺ Coating selection and feasibility trials
Use SCH when you are still deciding between conformal coating, nano coating, Parylene or a hybrid route.
End-to-End PCB Conformal Coating β Done for You
SCH protects PCB assemblies from moisture, dust, chemicals and thermal cycling while supporting controlled production schedules.
Our turnkey subcontract coating service can manage every stage of the process, from intake review and documentation through cleaning, masking, application, cure, inspection, pack-out and shipping. By taking ownership of the coating workflow, customers gain a controlled, traceable and repeatable process without disrupting internal manufacturing.
Our service includes:
- Prototype, NPI and production batch coating
- Process specification development and risk review
- Defined acceptance criteria written into documentation
- Batch traceability for materials, operators and process stages
- Controlled turnaround planning for repeat production work
π β π¬ Contact SCH to discuss your coating requirement βΊ
Our Capability: Application, Cleaning & Curing
Every step of our liquid conformal coating service is controlled for repeatability, inspection and process suitability. The final process is matched to the assembly, coating chemistry and acceptance requirements.
Application Methods
- Dip coating for uniform coverage with controlled dwell and withdrawal
- Batch spray for prototypes, mixed lots and flexible production
- Masking using boots, tapes and custom solutions
- De-masking, touch-up, depanel and packaging support
Cleaning & Surface Preparation
- Aqueous or solvent cleaning matched to coating chemistry and assembly risk
- Ionic contamination testing where cleanliness assurance is required
- Surface energy checks to support adhesion readiness
- Primer treatments where required to improve reliability
Curing & Thermal Control
- UV cure, ambient cure and oven-cure workflows
- Batch ovens with controlled cure profiles
- Stable process environments for viscosity, temperature and humidity control
Coating Removal
- Conformal coating removal using controlled wet stripping processes
- Parylene removal using ProBlast 3 ESD micro-abrasion systems
Coating Materials We Apply
SCH applies a wide range of liquid conformal coatings and selected nano coatings to meet performance, cost, process and compliance requirements. Our team can advise on the most suitable chemistry for your design and production route.
- Acrylic: cost-effective, fast cure and easier rework
- Polyurethane: strong toughness and chemical resistance
- Silicone: flexible across wider temperature ranges
- UV-cure systems: fast processing with secondary cure where required
- Low-VOC and solvent-based options: selected according to process and regulatory requirements
- Nano coatings: ultra-thin hydrophobic and oleophobic surface performance where suitable
Where the objective is surface performance rather than full barrier build, SCH can also support evaluation of advanced functional coatings, including hydrophobic coatings, ultra-thin coatings and PFAS-free coating pathways.
Not sure which coating fits? Start with our guide on how to select a conformal coating material, or contact SCH for application-specific support.
Quality Control & Standards
SCH works to ISO-certified processes and supports inspection requirements based on the coating material, assembly risk and customer acceptance criteria.
Inspection & Test
- Wet and dry film thickness verification where applicable
- Adhesion checks such as cross-hatch and tape testing where specified
- UV and white-light inspection
- Audit-ready records supplied on request
Compliance
- ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified systems
- ESD-controlled handling and production discipline
- Risk assessments and traceable documentation where required
Process Control
- Controlled viscosity, temperature and humidity where process-critical
- Recipe monitoring and logged cure profiles where applicable
- Operator, material and batch traceability
Stable processes reduce rework, improve yield and support reliable production scheduling.
When Conventional Coating May Not Be Enough
Some PCB assemblies are difficult to protect using one conventional coating route. Connector sensitivity, tight geometry, high contamination risk, low allowable film build or complex masking can make the process more difficult than the material selection suggests.
In these cases, SCH can help assess whether the application needs a different process architecture, such as a hybrid conformal and nano coating strategy, an ultra-thin coating, or a move toward Parylene coating services.
If coating is already failing on complex assemblies, see Why Conformal Coating Fails in Complex PCB Assemblies.
FAQs on Conformal Coating Services
Do you apply nano coatings as well as liquid conformal coatings?
Yes. SCH applies liquid conformal coatings and selected nano coating strategies. Nano coatings can be useful where ultra-thin hydrophobic surface performance is required, but they are not a direct replacement for full conformal coating in every application.
Can you help with coating material selection?
Yes. SCH helps customers balance cost, rework requirements, reliability targets, environmental exposure and process practicality before recommending a coating route.
What cleanliness level is required?
The required cleanliness depends on the assembly, environment and coating risk. Where needed, SCH can support cleaning, surface preparation and cleanliness checks before coating. Learn more about surface preparation and cleanliness for reliable conformal coating.
How are keep-out areas handled?
Keep-out areas are protected using defined masking strategies, including boots, tapes and custom fixtures. Each masking setup is reviewed against the coating process, geometry and acceptance requirements before production release.
Useful Links
Discuss Your Conformal Coating Project
Whether you need subcontract coating, coating process development, masking support, material selection or a feasibility review, SCH can help define a practical route from first trials through to production.
Need production coating?
Use SCH as a subcontract coating partner for prototype, NPI and repeat production work.
Not sure which process is right?
SCH can review geometry, connectors, coating options, masking risk and production constraints before recommending a coating route.
π Call: +44 (0)1226 249019 | β Email: sales@schservices.com | π¬ Contact Us βΊ
Why Choose SCH Services?
Partnering with SCH Services means gaining a practical coating partner with experience across conformal coating, Parylene, nano coating strategies, masking, inspection and process control.
- βοΈ 25+ Years of Expertise β trusted across aerospace, medical, defence, automotive and electronics
- π οΈ End-to-End Support β coating selection, masking, application, inspection and process optimisation
- π Scalable Solutions β from prototypes and NPI batches to repeat production
- π Global Reach β support and supply across Europe, North America and Asia
- β Practical Reliability Focus β processes built around real assemblies, real constraints and real validation needs
π Call: +44 (0)1226 249019 | β Email: sales@schservices.com | π¬ Contact Us βΊ
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general technical guidance only. Final coating selection and process decisions should be validated against the specific assembly design, operating environment and applicable standards.
