Surface degradation processes such as wear, oxidation, corrosion and fatigue cause failure of many engineering components under varied circumstances. Among the various surface engineering processes, phosphate conversion coatings and, electro- and electroless plating processes have received widespread acceptance following their less complex processing sequence and cost-effectiveness. The present review addresses the recent developments in the areas of phosphate conversion coatings, electro deposition and electroless deposition. © 2011, by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. All rights reserved.