There are many different finishes available for lots of different products, in this blog we will be looking at the different finishes on offer, as well as how to care for them, so you can choose the right finish for you.
Stocked Finishes
There are several different finishes which we carry in stock, these finishes are available for most of our products.
Stainless Steel Finishes
Stainless steel finishes include brushed/satin stainless steel (BSS/SSS) and polished stainless steel (PSS). Satin stainless steel finishes are a brushed, or matte steel-based finish, they are great for hiding fingerprints and give a smooth appearance. Polished stainless steel finishes give more of a mirror shine look, which can cause finger prints to be more visible, however polished stainless steel finishes can be slightly more resistant to corrosion due to the surface of the metal being so smooth.
Chrome Finishes
Chrome finishes include satin chrome (SC) and polished chrome (PC) finishes. These finishes appear similar to the satin and polished stainless steel finishes, however they are not steel-based, and are usually plated brass, zinc or nickel. They are often less durable than the steel-based finishes above, and are more likely to get damaged over time due to wear.
Special Finishes
Special finishes are generally not held in stock, however they can still be supplied with longer lead times on delivery. There are many special finishes available.
Antique brass
Antique brass finish is polished brass with a bronze patina applied over the entire surface. Polishes are then used to remove some of the bronze patina, exposing the brass underneath and highlighting the variance of shades giving an antique finish. A protective coating of electrophoretic lacquer is then applied over the surface to preserve the final appearance.
Matt Bronze
Matt bronze finishes are made up of aged brass and a clear lacquer. Over time, the bronze colour can lighten along edges or any surfaces that are frequently touched or handled, creating a natural aged appearance as the brass below becomes exposed. This finish will change over time.
Other Finishes
There are many other special finishes available, Croft architectural have a range of special finishes available which you can see here.
Caring for Different Finishes
Maintaining the quality of finishes require occasional care by removing dust and stains from the surfaces. All plated and lacquered finishes will eventually break down over time, there are certain factors which can affect the breakdown of finishes such as climate exposure: coastal areas and polluted areas often see plated finishes break down faster.
For lacquered and plated finishes such as antique brass, satin nickel, matt bronze, satin brass and polished brass, regularly removing dirt and watermarks with a non-abrasive cloth will help to maintain the longevity of the finish. For products that are used externally, applying a non-abrasive light wax coating can help to protect the lacquer and could extend its life. Metal cleaners or any other aerosol sprays should NOT be used as these will damage the finish.