Abstract: A thin film coating for a low allow steel or tool steel components in a fuel injector (14), such as a fuel injector needle valve (86) is disclosed. A thin film coating (96) consists of a metal carbon material layer less than 2.0 microns thick applied to a low alloy steel substrate (95) or tool steel substrate (95) used in fuel injector components, such as the fuel injector needle valve (86) or a portion thereof. Optionally, a thin bond layer (98) of chromium is deposited between the steel substrate (95) and the primary metal carbon material coating (96). The thin film coating (96) minimizes abrasive and adhesive wear associated with the needle valve (86) and cooperating nozzle surfaces (62,63) of the fuel injector (14).