Finishes
What each finish asks of us
A finish can be scratched in the first hour, with the wrong tool. This is how we avoid it.
Chrome
The most forgiving finish, and the one that shows every water spot.
Smooth-jaw tools, with tape under every grip
Buffed dry before we leave, so the first spots are yours
Clean with mild soap and a soft cloth
Brushed nickel and steel
The grain hides fingerprints and shows scratches that run across it.
We work and wipe along the grain
Tape on the finish wherever a tool grips
No abrasive pads, and no steel wool
Matte black
A coating, not a metal, so it chips where metal tools touch it.
Handle, spout, drain and supply lines checked against each other, since blacks vary by maker
Hand-tight first, then a wrapped wrench for the last turn
Harsh and acidic cleaners dull it, so we leave care notes
Brass and gold tones
Lacquered brass stays bright. Unlacquered brass darkens, which is the point of it.
We ask which one you bought, so no one polishes a finish meant to age
Tones compared in the room's own light before we tighten anything
Acids and abrasives strip it
Bronze and copper tones
Living finishes that change with use, and fixtures that look different by the month.
The maker's care sheet goes in the bag with the fixture
Wet cloths and wax stay away from it until you've read that sheet
Ask us before you wipe anything off
Mixing finishes
More than one finish in a room
Match the set
Faucet, drain, supply lines and shower trim in one finish look intended. Different makers' blacks and brasses rarely match.
Or contrast on purpose
Two finishes read as a choice when each one repeats: black faucet, black mirror frame, brass towel bar and cabinet pulls.
Judge it in your light
Finishes shift under warm bulbs and daylight. Hold a sample up in the room before you order the set.
Not sure what your finish needs?
Send the maker and model. We'll tell you what we'd do on install day.