Introduction
Conformal coating is vital for protecting electronics from moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes. Yet many manufacturers don’t have the facilities or expertise to manage coating in-house. That’s where subcontract conformal coating services—sometimes called outsourced conformal coating—play a critical role. By partnering with a specialist provider like SCH Services, companies gain expert support, cost efficiency, and consistent results without the burden of running their own coating line.
What Are Subcontract Conformal Coating Services?
Subcontract conformal coating means entrusting your printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies to an external, professional coating house. Instead of purchasing capital equipment, training staff, and maintaining coating systems, you send your assemblies to a contract conformal coating provider who applies the specified finish and returns them production-ready.
At SCH Services, we manage the full process:
- Intake & documentation
- Masking & preparation
- Application by spray, dip, or brush
- Curing & drying
- Inspection & testing
- Final packaging and return
All processes are carried out under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified conditions, ensuring consistency and traceability.
Why Do They Matter?
- Expertise and Precision – Dedicated coating houses like SCH specialise in conformal coating. This focus means fewer defects, better adhesion, and compliance with IPC and MIL standards.
- No Need for In-House Experts – Hiring and retaining skilled conformal coating technicians can be difficult and costly. By subcontracting, you eliminate the need to recruit, train, and manage coating specialists in-house—your provider already has the expertise.
- Cost Efficiency – Outsourcing avoids the capital expense of equipment and staff. Subcontracting transforms fixed overhead into a flexible, predictable service cost.
- Speed and Flexibility – Professional coating partners can scale quickly, whether you need a handful of prototypes or high-volume production batches.
- Reduced Risk – Working with an established provider reduces the chance of coating failures, warranty claims, or costly rework.
- Compliance and Reliability – With certified processes and audited standards, subcontract conformal coating services ensure your electronics meet customer and regulatory requirements.
When Should You Consider Outsourcing?
- Prototypes & NPI: When volumes are too small to justify in-house investment.
- Low-to-medium volumes: Where flexibility is more important than throughput.
- Overflow capacity: When your line is at full load and you need extra support.
- Specialist projects: Aerospace, defence, or medical builds that demand strict compliance.
Why Choose SCH Services?
With more than 25 years of experience, SCH Services is the UK’s leading provider of subcontract conformal coating services. We offer:
- Liquid, nano, and Parylene coating options
- ISO-certified processes for quality and reliability
- Secure supply chains for consumables and spares
- Full support from prototype through production
By choosing SCH, you gain more than a subcontractor—you gain a long-term partner who helps you protect your products and reputation.
Conclusion
Subcontract conformal coating services provide manufacturers with the flexibility, expertise, and assurance they need to deliver reliable electronics. By outsourcing your coating requirements to a trusted partner like SCH, you avoid costly setup, reduce risks, and ensure your assemblies are protected against the toughest environments.
For more information, visit: https://www.conformalcoating.co.uk/conformal-coating-solutions/
