Two roughening methods involving micro-etching and mixed mode etching of pre-plated finish (PPF) surfaces were used to examine the nickel-coated layer thickness effect on the surface morphology. The PPF lead frames treated by micro-etching (ME) surface roughness drastically decreased with increased nickel-coated layer thickness, while the PPF lead frames treated by mix mode roughening (MMR) maintained comparatively good surface roughness even with thick nickel-coated layers. The shear strength of the PPF of a lead frame treated by ME and MMR reached up to five times that of the untreated PPF based on a moisture sensitivity level button shear test. The failure mechanism of the PPF lead frame treated by ME was the formation of cracks through the interface between the lead frame and the epoxy molding compound, which led to the breakage. An experimental basis is provided for the application of PPF lead frames, as well as a theoretical foundation for increasing the adhesion strength of rough surfaces. Therefore, this study is of great theoretical and practical significance.