What Can I Use Between Metal Parts to Prevent Scratching?
If you are stacking, storing, or shipping finished metal parts, one of the most important questions is: what can I use between metal parts to prevent scratching?
The best solution is a non-abrasive protective spacer pad designed to separate surfaces, reduce movement, and prevent metal parts from rubbing together during handling or transit. For many manufacturers, WOW Pads from Frank Lowe provide a cleaner, more consistent alternative to materials like cardboard, foam sheets, or bubble wrap.
Why Metal Parts Get Scratched During Storage and Transit
Metal parts are often damaged after production, not during production. A part may leave the line in perfect condition, but scratches and scuffs can happen when it is stacked, packed, handled, or transported.
Common causes include:
- Surface-to-surface contact
- Parts shifting during transit
- Vibration from trucks or forklifts
- Compression from stacked weight
- Inconsistent spacing materials
- Packaging materials that break down or move out of place
This is especially important for powder-coated metal, painted parts, stainless steel, aluminum extrusions, and other finished components where appearance matters.
Common Materials Used Between Metal Parts
Many manufacturers try to protect metal parts using basic packaging materials. While these can help in some situations, they often fall short when consistency and surface protection are critical.
Cardboard or Paper
Cardboard and paper are easy to source, but they can compress, tear, absorb moisture, and shift during transit. They are also abrasive and may leave debris behind and do not always provide reliable spacing.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is useful for cushioning lightweight items, but it is not designed to maintain consistent spacing between stacked metal parts. It is also a one hit wonder as once the bubble bursts it is useless!
What Works Best: Protective Spacer Pads
Protective spacer pads are designed specifically to prevent direct contact between parts. Instead of wrapping the entire product or relying on loose materials, spacer pads provide targeted protection where the part needs it most.
A strong protective pad should offer:
- Non-abrasive surface protection
- Consistent thickness
- Anti-skid performance
- Compression resistance
- Custom sizing
- Easy application
- Clean removal when needed
How WOW Pads Help Prevent Scratching
WOW Pads are custom die-cut protective pads designed to help manufacturers protect metal parts during storage, stacking, and transportation.
They help by:
- Separating metal surfaces to prevent direct contact
- Reducing movement between stacked parts
- Protecting finished surfaces from scratches and scuffs
- Creating consistent spacing throughout the load
- Improving packaging efficiency
- Reducing damage, rework, and returns
Because WOW Pads can be custom-sized for your application, they eliminate the guesswork that often comes with generic packaging materials.
A Better Fit for Finished Metal Surfaces
Not all metal parts require the same protection. A powder-coated panel may need a different pad size, thickness, or material than a stainless steel component or aluminum extrusion.
That is why custom sizing matters. With WOW Pads, manufacturers can get pads designed around the product, finish, weight, stacking method, and shipping environment.
This helps create a more repeatable process for production teams and a better result for customers.
The Benefits Go Beyond Scratch Prevention
Preventing scratches is the main goal, but the right spacer pad can improve your operation in other ways as well.
WOW Pads can help reduce:
- Packaging waste
- Labor time
- Material handling
- Product rework
- Rejected parts
- Customer complaints
- GREATER PROFIT!
When parts arrive clean and damage-free, your team saves time and your customers receive a better finished product.
Find the Right WOW Pad for Your Application
If your metal parts are getting scratched during storage or transit, the issue may not be the product itself. It may be the material being used between the parts.
Frank Lowe works with manufacturers to develop custom WOW Pad solutions that protect finished surfaces, improve packaging consistency, and support smoother operations.
About the Author Randy Cohen
Since 2002, Randy Cohen has served as the Senior Vice President of Frank Lowe — leading Sales and Marketing as well as a variety of Administrative operations. Randy has 25 years of experience with a background in sales & marketing, production and business management, serving both government agencies and private industry. He holds a B.A from Syracuse University and a Masters and Professional Diploma from Fordham University. Randy uses his unique set of experiences to partner with businesses and entities across all sectors explore, pursue, and create better solutions.