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. The team considers the item's material and current condition alongside the desired tone, sheen and practical use. The goal is a finish that suits the piece and supports the overall design, with suitability confirmed before work begins.
The best finish is one that fits the piece and its purpose.
For suitable metal parts, brass plating offers a way to change or renew the visible finish without changing the original form of the component. Depending on the item, the request may involve a single fixture, a group of matching parts or a detail being restored for reuse. The first step is to identify the substrate and look for wear, corrosion, damage or previous coatings that may affect preparation.
The available decorative directions include polished brass for a brighter look, satin brass for a softer sheen and antique brass for a deeper, aged effect. 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. After finishing, the component is reviewed for appearance and consistency before packing and return arrangements are confirmed.
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. Providing the base metal when known, approximate dimensions and finish preference helps the team review the request. 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 Hemet area may be considering brass finishes for lighting, hardware, furniture details or architectural fittings. Decorative Metal Coatings does not claim a local shop, partnership or completed project based on the city's name. 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.
An initial evaluation considers the material, surface condition and finish reference. 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.
For a coordinated set, photograph the project components together before wrapping them separately. Remove glass, bulbs, wiring, plastic and detachable nonmetal parts whenever practical. Protect corners, threads and delicate details, and include a parts list with a note identifying the finish reference.
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.
Over three decades of plating, one shop in Oceanside.
Every part is stripped, prepped, plated and inspected in our own building, and our work comes with a 12 month workmanship guarantee. Send photos and we'll take it from there.
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 decorative brass looking its best with careful surface maintenance.
Clean lacquered brass gently with a nonabrasive cloth and mild soapy water, and dry it after cleaning. Strong polishing compounds can damage protective lacquer and change the sheen, so avoid them unless advised.
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.
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 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.
Other California cities in our service directory include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn what to provide for a quote and what to expect from a decorative brass-plating project.
Polished brass is brighter and more reflective, satin brass has a softer sheen, and antique brass has a deeper, more varied tone. Sharing a reference image or sample helps the team understand the appearance you want.
Decorative hardware, lighting parts, furniture accents, bath accessories and other suitable metal fittings may be reviewed. The base material and condition of each component determine whether it is a candidate for the process.
Related components can be reviewed together. Provide photographs showing the pieces as a group and, if possible, a reference finish. This gives the team context for the desired tone and sheen across the set.
The usual quote turnaround is 24 to 48 hours once the team has the information needed to assess the parts. Include photos, quantity, approximate dimensions and the preferred brass finish.
Rush production may be available in 5 to 7 business days, but it is subject to review and availability. Standard production generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. Ask the team to confirm timing for your specific project.
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.