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. That evaluation helps guide the preparation and finish choices for an individual fitting or a coordinated group of components.
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. The parts most often reviewed include decorative hardware, lamp details, furniture fittings and selected interior metal components. Whether the part is suitable depends on its base metal, construction, prior coatings and surface condition.
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. If several pieces need to coordinate, provide a reference sample or photographs of the items together. The team reviews the finish goal with the physical characteristics of the component before confirming the proposed approach.
Preparation is determined by the part rather than assumed in advance. 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. The review helps establish the preparation required and whether the part is a suitable candidate for decorative brass plating.
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 Rialto 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. Every item still requires its own material and condition review before a process can be recommended.
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. Preparation may include removal of old coatings, cleaning and surface correction when the condition of the part calls for those steps. 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. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners unless the care method has been confirmed for the specific finish.
If clouding, peeling or a change in sheen appears, photograph the area and ask for guidance before attempting a repair. 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.
The team can review a reference sample or photographs to understand the desired tone and sheen. Exact appearance depends on the part, preparation and finish requirements, so matching should be discussed before work is approved.
Yes. Antique brass is one of the decorative options, alongside polished and satin brass. Share a reference image or sample so the preferred depth and variation can be discussed.
Include an overall view, close-ups of worn areas, the back or underside when accessible, and any identifying marks. Add dimensions, quantity and the finish you want to help the team assess the project.
The usual turnaround is 24 to 48 hours after the team receives the information required to evaluate the project. More complete photos and details can help avoid follow-up questions.
Yes. The shop is in Oceanside, California and eligible parts can be shipped from anywhere in the United States. Contact Decorative Metal Coatings before sending the items to confirm project and shipping details.
Not at all. Most of what comes through our door is home and business hardware: faucets, light fixtures, door handles, cabinet pulls, railings and decorative pieces. We also work for hotels, restaurants, boat owners and manufacturers.
Tell us what the part is, roughly how big it is, how many pieces you have and the finish you're after. If you know the metal, mention it. If not, that's fine. We can usually tell from the photos.
Every part is quoted on its own. The biggest factors are condition, the base metal, size and shape, the finish you choose and how many pieces you send. A part with deep pits or broken spots takes more work before it can be plated.