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.
A well-selected brass finish can refresh a component while preserving the shape and details that make the original piece useful. Each request is assessed around the part itself, including its construction, condition and the finish reference supplied by the customer. The goal is a finish that suits the piece and supports the overall design, with suitability confirmed before work begins.
Choose the right appearance through a thoughtful finish review.
For suitable metal parts, brass plating offers a way to change or renew the visible finish without changing the original form of the component. The parts most often reviewed include decorative hardware, lamp details, furniture fittings and selected interior metal components. The first step is to identify the substrate and look for wear, corrosion, damage or previous coatings that may affect preparation.
Finish selection can change the character of the same component: polished brass is brighter, satin brass is more subdued, and antique brass has a darker appearance. A reference photo taken in neutral light can help communicate the preferred tone and the level of shine you want to achieve. The team reviews the finish goal with the physical characteristics of the component before confirming the proposed approach.
Before a new finish is applied, the existing surface is reviewed to identify the preparation it needs. Some components need previous coatings removed, followed by cleaning and surface correction before the brass finish can be applied. The finish and any protective clear coat are considered as part of the project specification, with most decorative brass work receiving clear lacquer.
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.
Each project is reviewed individually so the recommended approach reflects the part rather than a generic finishing sequence. Clear images of the full piece and any worn areas help explain the work, especially when several components need to coordinate. Once the details are understood, the team can discuss the finish direction and the next steps for a quote.
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.
Customers planning work in the Chino area may be considering brass finishes for lighting, hardware, furniture details or architectural fittings. They describe potential uses for the service and should not be read as evidence of completed projects in the city. The suitability of a specific part depends on its construction, substrate and existing surface.
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.
First, the team reviews the part, its current finish and the customer's requested appearance. The required preparation is based on the substrate and may involve stripping, cleaning and correcting visible surface issues. After finishing, the part is reviewed for appearance and consistency before return arrangements are confirmed.
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.
Before packing, remove glass, bulbs, wiring, plastic pieces and detachable hardware whenever practical. Wrap each metal part separately, cushion fragile edges and include your contact details and a parts list. If several pieces need to match, add a photo showing them together.
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.
You don't have to live nearby to work with us.
Customers all over the country pack their parts and ship them to our Oceanside shop. We finish them, inspect them and send them back insured. It starts with a few photos.
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.
Protect the finish with simple, gentle cleaning habits.
Clean lacquered brass gently with a nonabrasive cloth and mild soapy water, and dry it after cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners unless the care method has been confirmed for the specific finish.
For parts exposed to moisture, wipe away water spots and residue rather than allowing buildup to remain. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners unless the care method has been confirmed for the specific finish.
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.
Shipping eligible brass-plating projects to our shop
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 is located in Oceanside, California and accepts eligible projects shipped from anywhere in the United States. Wrap each metal part separately, cushion delicate edges and prevent pieces from rubbing together. Include your contact information and a list of the items. Project-specific shipping and return details are confirmed during the quote process.
Additional California locations listed in our directory include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful information for planning a brass finish, from choosing a look to preparing your parts.
Most decorative brass work receives a clear protective lacquer. The appropriate finish approach depends on the part and its intended use, so any special requirement should be discussed during the project review.
A project can involve an individual component or a group of related parts. The team reviews the item, material, condition and requested finish before confirming whether the work is suitable.
That depends on the part and the condition of its current surface. Existing coatings may need to be removed as part of preparation, but the required steps are determined after the item is evaluated.
Standard production generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. Rush service may be possible in 5 to 7 business days, subject to review and availability. Confirm timing with the team before shipping.
Remove glass, bulbs, wiring, plastic and detachable nonmetal pieces whenever practical. Wrap metal items separately, cushion delicate edges and include contact information and a parts list. Ask the team for project-specific packing guidance.
Send us a few photos of the part from different angles, along with what it is and the finish you want. We look them over and send a written quote, usually within 24 business hours. It's free, and you're under no obligation to go ahead.
Standard orders take 3 to 5 weeks from the day your parts arrive. If you're on a deadline, ask about expedited service. When the schedule allows, we can finish in 5 to 7 business days.
Yes. Our workmanship is covered for 12 months. If something isn't right with the finish we put on, call us and we'll make it right.