Coating masks, spacers and fixtures are tooling used in plating, thermospraying, painting or other coating processes. Coating masks block deposition from certain areas. For example, a plating mask or powder coating mask prevents selected portions of the product from being coated. Part masking is used to prepare a pallet for robot part spraying. If applied properly, the coating masks, spacers and fixtures can be re-used when the pallet is reloaded with parts. In this way, coating masks, spacers and fixtures prevent selected parts or areas from being painted. A painting mask can be applied to complex shapes and contoured surfaces, and can protect to key areas of printed circuit boards during wave soldering and chemical bath processing. Other masking products include caps, plugs, tapes, and other shapes. Caps fit over rods, tubes, and stems. Plugs protect threaded holes, non-threaded holes, and slotted holes. They come in a variety of shapes: hollow, with and without handles, with and without flanges, and self threading plugs.

Coating masks, spacers and fixtures differ in terms of material composition, physical dimensions, and special features. Some products are made silicone, neoprene, or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Others are made from polyester or polyimide. The maximum operating temperature for coating masks, spacers and fixtures depends on the material type and shape. Physical dimensions for caps include inside diameter, wall thickness, and length. Specifications for plugs include size, top diameter, bottom diameter, and length. Specifications for tapes include width, and custom die-cut tapes. In terms of features, painting masking can be resistant to UV degradation, flame, moisture and many chemicals. Plating masking often has good heat resistance.

The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) publishes standards that apply to coating masks, spacers and fixtures. For example, ASTM D-3330 applies to the adhesion of pressure sensitive tape. ASTM D-3759 is for tensile strength and elongation of pressure-sensitive tape. ASTM D-3652 is for thickness of pressure-sensitive tape. Coating masks, spacers and fixtures are also covered by the ASTM Committee D01 on paint and related coatings, materials, and applications.