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.
Brass plating offers a finish option for compatible hardware and decorative metal pieces. Finish selection and preparation are considered together rather than as separate decisions. This helps establish a practical scope before the component is accepted for processing.
Consider the finish as part of the overall design.
A finish update may help coordinate older fittings with newer lighting, cabinetry or furniture. Customers may submit individual pieces or several related components for review. Photos of the front, back and worn areas help identify visible concerns before a quote is prepared.
Lighting conditions can affect how brass appears, so references should be viewed in neutral light. Discuss any variation that may be acceptable before production begins. The selected appearance is considered with the substrate and surface condition before approval.
Surface preparation is determined after reviewing the existing coating and the material underneath. Depending on the part, preparation may include stripping, cleaning and correcting surface imperfections. Any special expectation for the final surface should be discussed during the initial review.
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.
Decorative Metal Coatings considers the component and its finish goals before outlining next steps. Send clear photographs, approximate dimensions, quantity and base-metal information if available. The proposed process depends on the physical condition of the item.
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.
Design work around Rancho Mirage may include metal fittings that need to coordinate with other visible materials. These examples describe possible applications and do not claim local installations or customers. The service review focuses on the requested finish and the condition of the component.
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.
Before approval, the item is reviewed for material, condition and construction. Preparation may involve removing old coatings, cleaning and addressing surface defects where appropriate. The finished work receives an appearance review based on the project requirements.
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 nonmetal parts whenever practical. Wrap each metal component separately, cushion fragile edges and protect threads or mounting details. Include your contact information 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 appearance through nonabrasive maintenance.
Use gentle cleaning methods and dry the surface after wiping it with mild soapy water. Do not use polishing compounds unless approved for the finish.
If clouding, peeling or a change in sheen appears, photograph the area before attempting a repair.
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.
Packing metal components 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. Contact the team before sending parts so the component, finish requirements and packing details can be reviewed. Wrap each item separately, cushion delicate edges and include a parts list with your contact information.
Other California cities in our service directory include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn what information helps the team evaluate a brass-plating request.
Most decorative brass work receives a clear protective lacquer. Discuss any special requirement during project review because the appropriate approach depends on the part and its intended use.
A project may involve one part or a group of related pieces. The team reviews the item, material, condition and requested finish before confirming suitability.
That depends on the item and the condition of its existing surface. Previous coatings may need to be removed during preparation, but the required steps are determined after evaluation.
Standard production generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. Rush service may be possible in 5 to 7 business days, subject to review and availability.
Wrap each component separately, cushion edges and prevent parts from rubbing together. Remove detachable nonmetal pieces when practical and include a parts list and contact details.
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.