A method of making a tape guide pin or sleeve adapted to directly engage the back of recording tape or the like, comprises applying a surface layer of a nonmagnetic hard material on a base body of nonmagnetic material and then forming microscopic tips on the circumferential surface of the hard-surfacing layer such that the pattern of the microscopic tips extend substantially linearly in the transverse direction to the axial dimension of the pin or sleeve. These tips are then fine-finished and thereby rounded. The tape guide has improved wear-resistance and frictional characteristics by comparison with even tape guides free from the surface roughening formed by the microscopic tips.