Polished Brass
A bright, reflective brass with a deep golden glow. Built over a leveled base so it shines like a solid brass piece, then sealed to keep that color.
Decorative Metal Coatings helps customers renew the visible surfaces of suitable metal parts. Each request is assessed for material, condition and finish preference before a process is recommended. The project is guided by the customer's finish goals and the physical details of the component.
Bring metal details together with a consistent finish direction.
Brass plating may be worth considering when a metal component is useful but its current surface no longer suits the design. Parts reviewed may include lighting components, decorative fittings, architectural hardware and furniture details. The base metal, construction and condition determine whether a part can be accepted for the process.
Finish choice has a strong effect on the character of the piece and how it relates to surrounding materials. Polished, satin and antique brass are distinct options, each with its own reflectivity and depth. The requested look is reviewed alongside the part's material and condition before work is specified.
The condition beneath an old finish can be just as important as the requested new appearance. Some parts need previous coatings stripped before cleaning and surface preparation can be completed. The protective finish and final appearance are considered as part of the project specification.
Because fresh brass darkens in open air, every decorative brass job ends with a clear protective lacquer unless you ask for a living finish. Send photos and tell us where the piece will live, and we will recommend a finish and send a written quote.
Our brass plating service is evaluated around the needs of each component. Clear images of the full item and worn areas help explain the work being requested. The customer receives project guidance based on the actual piece and the requested decorative result.
A bright, reflective brass with a deep golden glow. Built over a leveled base so it shines like a solid brass piece, then sealed to keep that color.
A fine brushed grain that softens the shine and hides fingerprints. The modern favorite for faucets, bath accessories and cabinet hardware.
Brass that is toned darker and hand relieved, so raised details catch the light while the background stays aged. Right at home in period homes.
A bright nickel layer goes down first for smoothness and corrosion protection, then the brass color goes on top. Our standard build for lasting decorative work.
Worn, peeling or bleeding plated brass is stripped to bare metal, repaired and plated again, so a tired piece looks like it just left the factory.
Functional brass on steel parts where rubber has to bond to metal, plus economical brass coatings on production hardware and fasteners.
Slide the handle across any photo to compare the part as it arrived with the same part finished in brass.
Before
Brown, blotchy plating that had lost its lacquer years ago. Disassembled, stripped, polished and plated in bright brass, with every arm matched before it was sealed and rewired.
Before
Dated chrome towel bars, hooks and a paper holder. Converted to satin brass so the whole set agrees with a new satin brass faucet installed in the same room.
Before
A rail section from a hospitality lounge, worn through to the base metal where guests rest their hands. Stripped, rebuilt, polished and plated in bright brass.
All three bring warmth to a room, but they differ in color, upkeep and cost. Here is how they compare so you can pick the one that fits your project.
Brass can go on almost any common metal, but every base needs its own cleaning and its own foundation layer to hold a lasting golden finish.
Cleaned, activated and given a smooth nickel base before brass. Rust and pitting are removed first so the golden surface comes out even.
Most modern faucets, pulls and bath accessories are die cast. They need a careful copper strike and leveling before brass, work we do every week.
Old lacquer and tarnish are stripped, then the part is polished. Many solid brass pieces only need refinishing, others get a fresh plate for an exact color.
A zincate pretreatment and a strike layer let brass bond to aluminum castings and housings that would otherwise reject plating.
A nickel strike breaks through the natural oxide film, after which stainless takes a brass finish with a very durable core underneath.
Copper and bronze accept brass well once cleaned. Unusual alloys and plated plastics are reviewed case by case, so send a photo before you ship.
Projects associated with Barstow may include decorative metal details for residential, hospitality, retail or commercial interiors. They do not imply that Decorative Metal Coatings operates a shop or has completed projects in the city. City references are included for navigation only and do not suggest that the shop is located there.
Table rails, slot cabinet trim, cashier cage details and bar fixtures in polished or satin brass. Casino resorts across North County San Diego trust us to keep their gaming floors glowing.
Chandeliers, sconces, lamp bases and decorative accents finished to a designer's specified brass tone.
Faucets, shower trim, towel bars and kitchen accessories converted to brass so every piece in the room matches.
Drawer pulls, hinges, legs, ferrules and escutcheons for new furniture lines and antique pieces alike.
Door levers, kick plates, handrails and signage for homes, hotels, offices and commercial lobbies.
Brass coated steel inserts and brackets that let rubber bond to metal, plus production hardware runs.
The first step is to review photographs and basic information about the component. The exact sequence depends on the substrate and may involve stripping, cleaning and surface preparation. The sequence is confirmed for the approved project before the finishing work proceeds.
Send pictures of the part and, if you can, a photo of the brass piece it needs to match.
We identify the base metal and the prep it needs, then send a written price within 24 business hours.
For a coordinated set, photograph the components together before wrapping them individually. Use suitable cushioning to prevent rubbing or impact during transit, protect delicate edges and include a parts list with the preferred finish reference. Contact the team for project-specific packing instructions.
Old finishes are stripped, the surface is polished and leveled, then a nickel base and brass go on.
Brass is polished, brushed or antiqued, lacquered, inspected and shipped back insured.
Not sure what your part needs? Send us a photo.
We'll tell you what the metal is, what it takes to bring it back and what it costs. A written quote usually comes back within 24 business hours, and there's no obligation.
Homeowners, designers and hospitality teams share what it was like to send their brass and other finishing work to our shop.
Since 1989 our Oceanside shop has helped homeowners, designers and casino resorts get brass that matches, from a single heirloom lamp to hundreds of pieces of hotel hardware.
Email a photo of your brass project and get a no obligation quote within 24 hours.
Each piece is backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If the finish is not right, we make it right.
Customers in every state ship brass work to us, from one lamp to a full hotel order.
Most projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited Orders: 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
A brass finish is only as good as the layers under it and the seal on top of it. Here is what goes into every order.
Brass goes over a polished nickel base, which gives it depth and keeps the base metal protected if the surface is ever scratched.
When you send a sample, finished parts are checked next to it under shop light before they are approved.
Parts are cleaned of every fingerprint before the clear seal goes on, so no spots appear under the coating months later.
Each finished piece is sleeved in soft wrap and boxed apart from the others so lacquered surfaces arrive unmarked.
Every brass finish and brass related service we offer under one roof.
Keep lacquered brass looking its best with simple maintenance.
For lacquered brass, clean gently with a soft cloth and mild soap diluted in water. Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners may scratch the surface or change its sheen.
Pay attention to seams, edges and areas that are handled frequently. Strong cleaners can wear through a protective coating and affect the appearance underneath.
Bath and kitchen pieces see the most wear. Wipe off water spots and soap residue before they dry, and avoid spraying bathroom cleaners directly on the hardware. On casino and hospitality pieces that are cleaned many times a day, ask us about a schedule for resealing before the base metal ever shows.
Prefer brass that ages? We can leave a piece unsealed so it darkens naturally, and you can polish it back whenever you like. When a lacquered piece starts to show spots, send it back: in many cases we strip the old lacquer, rebuff the brass and reseal it without replating.
Brass Plating Gallery
Polished, satin and antique brass on chandeliers, bath sets, bar rails and furniture hardware for homes, hotels and casino resorts.
How to send metal parts for brass finishing
Email photos of every piece and the brass finish you want. We reply with a written quote and lead time, often the same business day. Please wait for a quote number before you ship.
Wrap each part separately in bubble wrap or foam so no two pieces touch, and leave at least three inches of padding around them. Glass shades and electrical parts should be removed first.
Declare the full value with your carrier and email us the tracking number, so we can watch for your box and log it in on arrival.
When your brass is finished we send photos for approval, then pack every piece in new materials and ship it back insured.
All brass work is stripped, plated, toned, lacquered and inspected in our own facility in North County San Diego.
Brass, copper, nickel, chrome and metal finishing in San Diego County since 1989.
Decorative Metal Coatings receives eligible projects at its Oceanside, California facility from customers throughout the United States. Before shipping, discuss the item and packing requirements with the team. Separate components, use suitable cushioning and identify each piece in an enclosed parts list.
Additional California locations listed in our directory include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about decorative brass plating and preparing metal parts.
Decorative options include polished brass, satin brass and antique brass. The best choice depends on the look you want, the condition of the part and whether it needs to coordinate with other components.
Many existing metal parts can be reviewed. Suitability depends on the substrate, construction and surface condition. Provide photos of the full item and any worn or damaged areas.
Send clear photos, approximate dimensions, quantity, base-metal information if known and the preferred finish. Include a reference sample or image if matching is important.
Standard production generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. Rush production may be possible in 5 to 7 business days, subject to project review and shop availability.
Yes. Decorative Metal Coatings is located in Oceanside, California and accepts eligible projects shipped from anywhere in the United States. Contact the team before sending parts.
It depends on the part. Older fixtures and hardware are often better made than what you can buy today, or simply can't be found anymore. Send us photos and we'll give you an honest answer, even if that answer is to buy a new one.
Yes. We work with hotels, casinos, restaurants, architects, contractors and manufacturers, as well as homeowners. For businesses we can plate a whole project to one finish so every piece matches.
Yes. Our shop is at 2613 Temple Heights Dr, Suite G, in Oceanside. Bring your quote number and your parts during business hours, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM or Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM.