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A note on “Oil Rubbed Bronze” and “Antique Brass” finishes:
Though we are commonly
asked for these finishes on items, we have largely stopped carrying items in these finishes for several reasons:
T
he largest number of problems with these finishes result from difficulties in matching colors on different items, especially when the items are made from different alloys of
metal or by different manufacturers. The reason for so many color differences is because these finishes are artistic representations of aged metal, they are not particularly accurate renderings of what old brass or oiled bronze really look like.
Further complicating the issue are the numerous ways these finishes are achieved. Short of letting the
metal weather naturally for several years or using expensive bronze, the only way to produce these colors is to either chemically etch brass with acid or apply a painted or
anodized finish. The resulting finishes can range anywhere in color from light brown to nearly black.
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he range of customer expectations are as varied as the range of possible colors. The result for us was a staggering number of returns, most citing “wrong color” as
the reason for the return.
Wear is another problem with these trendy faux finishes. The chemically etched finishes
are considered “organic finishes” which by design wear and change with time. Some customers like this feature, other were aghast when their fixture turned green
in some places and bright and shiny in places where it was worn more from handling. The more durable epoxy, powdercoated, and anodized finishes have better wear
characteristics but come at the price of a “plasticy” look that isn’t even close to realistic.
We
presently offer only a few items in Oil Rubbed Bronze. For those wishing to implement these finishes in their own design scheme, we suggest purchasing unlacquered or uncoated
brass items and darkening them with our Darkening Solution until the desired color is acheived.
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