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.
The Golden Glow of Brass,
on the Parts You Already Own
on the Parts You Already Own
Polished, satin and antique brass for lighting, door and bath hardware, furniture and casino interiors. Matched to the pieces you already have, sealed to hold its color and finished by hand in Oceanside.
Certified, Approved and Verified
Brass Plating
A Timeless Warm Finish, Matched to Your Space
Brass plating deposits a thin layer of real brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, onto another metal. The part keeps its strength and shape, and the surface takes on the soft golden color people have trusted on fine hardware and lighting for well over a century. It costs far less than solid brass parts and far less than gold plating.
Most brass plating work is about matching. A homeowner replaces one faucet and the towel bars no longer agree with it. A designer specifies satin brass for a whole floor of a hotel. A restorer needs a lamp to look the way it did in 1925. We adjust the tone, the sheen and the aging of the brass until it sits naturally next to the pieces that surround it.
Brass is also the finish of choice for many casino resorts in our area. Table rails, slot trim, bar fixtures and decorative panels in polished or satin brass give a gaming floor warmth under bright lights, and we refinish and replate those pieces when years of hands and cleaning wear through.
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.
What We Do
Brass Plating Services
From a mirror bright chandelier to a satin set of bath accessories, these are the brass finishes and brass related services we run in our shop.
Satin Brass
A fine brushed grain that softens the shine and hides fingerprints. The modern favorite for faucets, bath accessories and cabinet hardware.
Antique Brass
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.
Brass Over Nickel
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.
Brass Replating
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.
Industrial Brass
Functional brass on steel parts where rubber has to bond to metal, plus economical brass coatings on production hardware and fasteners.
Restoration Results
Before and After
Slide the handle across any photo to compare the part as it arrived with the same part finished in brass.
Before
Five Arm Chandelier
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.
POLISHED BRASS
STEEL
LACQUERED
Before
Bath Accessory Set
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.
SATIN BRASS
ZINC DIE CAST
COLOR MATCH
Before
Bar and Lounge Rail
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.
POLISHED BRASS
STEEL
HOSPITALITY
Choosing a Warm Finish
Brass, Gold or Copper?
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 Plating
- Classic golden yellow tone
- Polished, satin or antique
- Sealed with clear lacquer
- Easy to match across a set
- The best value for a gold look
Gold Plating
- Richer, deeper yellow color
- Does not tarnish like brass
- Jewelry, awards and accents
- Higher cost per piece
- Ideal for small, special items
Copper Plating
- Rosy, reddish brown color
- Bright, satin or antique
- Ages to a natural patina
- Rustic and industrial designs
- See our copper finishes
What We Can Finish
Metals We Brass Plate
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.
Steel
Cleaned, activated and given a smooth nickel base before brass. Rust and pitting are removed first so the golden surface comes out even.
Zinc Die Cast
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.
Solid Brass
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.
Aluminum
A zincate pretreatment and a strike layer let brass bond to aluminum castings and housings that would otherwise reject plating.
Stainless Steel
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
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.
Who We Serve
Where Our Brass Shines
Casino resorts, designers, homeowners and manufacturers all count on brass that looks right on day one and keeps looking right.
Casinos and Gaming
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.
Lighting and Interior Design
Chandeliers, sconces, lamp bases and decorative accents finished to a designer's specified brass tone.
Bath and Kitchen Fixtures
Faucets, shower trim, towel bars and kitchen accessories converted to brass so every piece in the room matches.
Furniture and Cabinetry
Drawer pulls, hinges, legs, ferrules and escutcheons for new furniture lines and antique pieces alike.
Architectural Hardware
Door levers, kick plates, handrails and signage for homes, hotels, offices and commercial lobbies.
Industrial Manufacturing
Brass coated steel inserts and brackets that let rubber bond to metal, plus production hardware runs.
How It Works
Our Brass Plating Process
One cabinet pull or a full hotel renovation, every brass order moves through the same five steps.
1
Share Photos
Send pictures of the part and, if you can, a photo of the brass piece it needs to match.
2
Approve a Quote
We identify the base metal and the prep it needs, then send a written price within 24 business hours.
3
Deliver the Parts
Ship your pieces with the quote number, or drop them off at our Oceanside shop.
4
Prepare and Plate
Old finishes are stripped, the surface is polished and leveled, then a nickel base and brass go on.
5
Tone, Seal and Return
Brass is polished, brushed or antiqued, lacquered, inspected and shipped back insured.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by Professionals
Homeowners, designers and hospitality teams share what it was like to send their brass and other finishing work to our shop.
Since 1989
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.
35+
Years of Expertise
Take a Moment to Learn More
About Decorative Metal Coatings
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.
Free Estimates Available
Email a photo of your brass project and get a no obligation quote within 24 hours.
Quality Guaranteed
Each piece is backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If the finish is not right, we make it right.
Nationwide Shipping
Customers in every state ship brass work to us, from one lamp to a full hotel order.
Fast Turnaround Times
Most projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited Orders: 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
Our Commitment
Brass That Stays Beautiful
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.
Solid Foundation
Brass goes over a polished nickel base, which gives it depth and keeps the base metal protected if the surface is ever scratched.
Matched Side by Side
When you send a sample, finished parts are checked next to it under shop light before they are approved.
Lacquer Done Right
Parts are cleaned of every fingerprint before the clear seal goes on, so no spots appear under the coating months later.
Careful Packing
Each finished piece is sleeved in soft wrap and boxed apart from the others so lacquered surfaces arrive unmarked.
What We Do Differently
- We match tone and sheen to a sample you send
- Old plating and lacquer are fully stripped first
- Every decorative brass part gets a nickel base
- We send photos when a color decision is needed
- Sets are plated together so every piece agrees
What You May Experience Elsewhere
- Brass sprayed or painted on instead of plated
- No nickel base, so the color fades and wears fast
- Mismatched tones within the same set of hardware
- Unsealed brass that darkens within a few weeks
- Fingerprints trapped under the lacquer
Brass Plating Catalog
Brass Finishes and Services
Every brass finish and brass related service we offer under one roof.
Decorative Brass
- Polished Brass
- Bright Brass
- Satin Brass
- Brushed Brass
- Antique Brass
- Aged and Toned Brass
- Clear Lacquer Topcoat
Restoration and Matching
- Brass Over Nickel
- Brass Replating
- Lacquer Stripping and Resealing
- Chrome to Brass Conversion
- Sample Color Matching
- Matching Hardware Sets
Base Metals and Industrial
- Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Zinc Die Cast
- Aluminum (Zincate)
- Copper and Bronze
- Rubber Bonding Brass
- Production Hardware Runs
Brass Care
How to Keep Brass Looking New
Brass is mostly copper, so like copper it reacts with air, moisture and the oils from our hands. Unsealed brass turns from bright gold to a brownish, uneven tone within weeks. That is why our decorative brass leaves the shop under a clear lacquer, a thin transparent coat that locks in the color you chose.
Caring for lacquered brass is simple. Dust it regularly and wipe it with a soft cloth dampened with water and a drop of mild dish soap, then dry it. Do not use brass polish, metal cleaners, vinegar or scouring pads. They are made for bare brass and will cut through the lacquer, and tarnish will creep out from wherever the seal is broken.
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.
Project Gallery
Brass Plating Gallery
Polished, satin and antique brass on chandeliers, bath sets, bar rails and furniture hardware for homes, hotels and casino resorts.
Nationwide Service
Ship Us Your Parts From Anywhere in the US
Designers, homeowners and hospitality buyers across the country send us brass work by mail. This is how to pack it so it arrives safely.
01
Get your quote first
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.
02
Protect every surface
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.
03
Insure and send tracking
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.
04
Approve, then receive
When your brass is finished we send photos for approval, then pack every piece in new materials and ship it back insured.
Visit Us
Our Location
All brass work is stripped, plated, toned, lacquered and inspected in our own facility in North County San Diego.
Decorative Metal Coatings
Brass, copper, nickel, chrome and metal finishing in San Diego County since 1989.
- Address 2613 Temple Heights Dr, Ste G, Oceanside, CA 92056
- Phone (760) 746 3378
- Quotes Send photos and get a price
Business Hours
- Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday Closed
Serving all of San Diego County and beyond
Drop off your brass pieces from Oceanside, Vista, Temecula, La Jolla, Coronado or anywhere nearby. Farther away? Ship them to us from any state and we will return them insured.
Cities We Serve
Choose your city for brass plating lead times and drop off details in your area.
North County San Diego
City of San Diego and South Bay
San Diego
Chula Vista
National City
Imperial Beach
Coronado
La Mesa
El Cajon
Santee
La Jolla
Otay Mesa
Riverside and Orange County
Brass Plating Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most about brass finishes. Need more detail? Give the shop a call or send us a message.
Cost is driven mostly by preparation and size. A clean fixture that only needs polishing costs much less than a corroded die cast part that has to be stripped, filled and leveled first. Quantity and finish also play a role, and matching sets are priced together. Send photos for a written quote within 24 business hours.
Bare brass darkens over time because it reacts with air and moisture. We seal decorative brass with a clear lacquer that keeps the color stable for years with gentle cleaning. If you want a natural aged look, we can leave it unsealed.
Yes. Brass comes in many tones, from pale yellow to deep antique. Send the piece you want to match, or a clear photo in daylight, and we adjust the tone, sheen and aging of your parts to sit next to it.
In most cases, yes. The old finish is stripped or prepared, a fresh nickel base goes on, and the part is plated in the brass finish you choose. It is a popular way to update a bathroom or kitchen without replacing the hardware.
Solid brass is brass all the way through. Brass plating puts a layer of real brass over another metal such as steel or zinc die cast. With a nickel base and a lacquer seal, plated brass looks the same as solid brass at a fraction of the cost.
For most decorative work it is. Brass gives a warm golden look at a much lower price. Gold has a deeper color and does not tarnish, so it suits jewelry, awards and small accent pieces where the extra cost makes sense.
Yes. We regularly refinish table rails, slot trim, bar fixtures, door hardware and decorative panels for casino resorts and hospitality properties, and we can schedule work in batches to keep your floor open.
Absolutely. Get a quote first, wrap every piece individually with plenty of padding, insure the package for its full value and email us the tracking number. We finish, inspect and return your parts insured.