Durable Clear Coatings for Brass

Question:

Our company makes a wide range of brass architectural products, such as hand railing, public guidance posts and kitchen household fitting. We purchase clearcoated tubing and extrusions. What are the most durable clearcoat processes currently available? We are wondering if there are new technologies available that would improve the durability of our product. S.W.

Answer:

It’s funny that you should ask. Durable, meaning corrosion resistant, abrasion resistant, chip resistant and so on, are important characteristics for protecting brass products. Weather resistance is also important for products used outdoors. I know this from personal experience.

I bought a number of brass items for my new home a dozen years ago: brass indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, brass bathroom and kitchen fixtures and brass faucets. Just because I am the world’s greatest paint consultant doesn’t mean I am smart. All these items were high priced. The towel bars cost $100 each, and the faucets cost $150-250 each. The finish on the outdoor lanterns lasted 3 years, and the finish on the indoor lighting fixtures is as good as new. The finish on the bathroom fixtures is excellent. The finish on the faucets got so bad I had to replace them after 3 years. Coincidentally, the local distributor quit handling its products. My complaint letter to the manufacturer was never answered.

In the past couple of years, one of the other manufacturers of faucets has placed a lifetime warranty on the finish of its brass faucets. I understand they are powder coated. There are excellent clear powder coatings available for brass. If you haven’t up-graded your coating within the past 3-5 years, I suggest you pursue the use of powder coatings for your products