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 businesses, designers and property owners renew metal details with polished, satin and antique brass finishes. From a single fixture to a coordinated group of hardware, each project starts with the part itself, the desired appearance and the preparation needed to create a consistent result.
A refined brass finish starts with the right preparation.
Brass plating adds a warm metallic finish to a prepared part while preserving its original form. It can be a practical option when a fixture, handle, decorative fitting or furniture detail still works well but its surface is worn, dated or no longer matches the surrounding design. Our team reviews the base material and condition before recommending an approach.
The finish should suit both the piece and the way it will be used. Polished brass creates a brighter reflective appearance, satin brass softens the sheen, and antique brass introduces a darker, more varied look. We can discuss the intended tone, sheen and protective lacquer based on photos, reference pieces and the project requirements.
Decorative Metal Coatings focuses on surface preparation, finish consistency and careful handling throughout the job. Cleaning, stripping old coatings when needed, addressing surface imperfections and inspecting the finished part all contribute to the final appearance. The goal is not simply to add color, but to deliver a finish that works with the product and the client’s expectations.
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 designed for decorative metal parts that need a renewed appearance, a selected brass tone or a closer match to existing hardware. We review the part, base metal, surface condition and desired finish before confirming whether the work is suitable.
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 connected with Los Angeles may include hospitality interiors, commercial spaces, residential renovations, retail fixtures and product design. These are examples of potential applications, not a claim that Decorative Metal Coatings has a local facility or completed a specific project in the city.
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 process begins with photos and project details. After reviewing the part and confirming the proposed finish, the team determines the preparation required. Depending on the item, this may include removing old lacquer or plating, cleaning and smoothing the surface, applying the brass finish, adding protective lacquer for most decorative work and inspecting the result.
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, protect delicate edges and include a parts list. If several pieces need to match, add a photo showing them together and identify the reference finish.
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 the finish looking its best with gentle, consistent care.
For lacquered brass, clean with a soft cloth and mild soap diluted in water, then dry the surface completely. Avoid abrasive pads, scouring powders and aggressive metal polishes because they can scratch the finish or wear through the protective clear coat.
Pay attention to handles, pulls and bath accessories that are frequently touched or exposed to moisture. Wipe away water spots and cleaning residue rather than allowing them to remain on the surface. If the lacquer becomes cloudy, scratched or begins to peel, take photos before trying a stronger cleaner or polish.
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 brass parts to Decorative Metal Coatings
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. Pack each item so metal surfaces cannot rub together, protect corners and include your contact information and a list of the parts. Return-shipping details are confirmed with the project.
Other California cities in our location directory include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful information about brass finishes, project evaluation, preparation and timing.
The available decorative options include polished brass, satin brass and antique brass. The appropriate choice depends on the look you want, the part’s condition and the finish it needs to coordinate with. Photos or a physical reference can help communicate the target appearance.
In many cases, yes. Suitability depends on the base metal, construction and condition of the item. Send photos of the complete piece and close-ups of worn or damaged areas so the team can review whether it is a candidate for refinishing.
A quote typically takes 24 to 48 hours after the necessary project information has been received. Clear photos, dimensions, quantity and the desired finish help the team evaluate the request.
Standard production generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. Rush orders may be possible in 5 to 7 business days, but they must be reviewed first and depend on availability and the requirements of the project.
Yes. The shop is in Oceanside, California and accepts eligible parts shipped from anywhere in the United States. Contact the team before sending a project so the item, finish requirements and packing details can be reviewed.
Yes, and most of our work starts that way. We strip the old plating down to the base metal, repair what needs repair, then plate it fresh. New plating over a failing layer never lasts, so we don't do it.
We do. Along with single pieces for homeowners, we run batches of hundreds or thousands of parts for companies in California and other states. Send a photo of a sample, the quantity and the finish, and we'll quote the whole run.
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, pot metal and zamak. Some of them need extra prep so the plating bonds well, and we'll tell you up front if your part does.