As plastics are replacing many of the metal parts, there is often a need to have metallic coatings on plastics and other non-conductors. This paper will describe new processes of preparing ABS plastic substrates for subsequent metallization. A process replacing the traditional chromic acid etching step with a room temperature, environmentally-friendly etchant is described. The etchant gives the plastic substrate an increased hydrophilic surface and a microroughened, microporous resin topography.