- FAQ
- Finishes & Care
Finishes & Care
Are your products lacquered?
Most of our products are unlacquered to give an authentic, living finish that ages over time to create a beautiful tarnish (although you can reverse this process using our Brasso polish). We avoid lacquer when possible because it wears away and makes the product look unsightly.
Only our Pewter and Polished Bronze finishes are lacquered. Our Aged Bronze is an applied lacquer finish, but it's extremely hardwearing.
What finishes do you offer?
We currently offer over 22 finishes, each with their own unique properties. Our Finishes page contains detailed information about the how each finish is manufactured, how to care for them, and where to use them. We also have a number of Videos that cover the basics of our finishes. If you'd like to see the finishes for yourself, feel free to visit one of our retailers...
Can all your finishes be used externally?
No. Although most of our finishes are suitable for external use, some are not. Please read our Finishes Guide for more detailed information about where each finish can be used.
We don't recommend using our standard Beeswax finish outdoors as the base metal is only protected by a coating of wax which will likely rust in harsh environments. If you'd like to use these products outdoors, please use our External Beeswax finish which we ...
Can I install my ironmongery straight after decorating?
No. We recommend that you don't fit new ironmongery in a room where the plaster/paint hasn't fully dried. The moisture in damp rooms can cause certain finishes to tarnish or rust. This information is included in the description of each product, but if you're unsure whether this applies to a specific finish, please reference our Finishes Guide.
Can I use your products in coastal areas?
Our entire range of Hand Forged Marine 316 Stainless Steel products are suitable for use in coastal areas. They have strong anti-corrosive properties which make them resistant to rust.
We don’t recommend using our other finishes near the sea. Large amounts of atmospheric salt can cause them to rust and wear away.
What should I do to my product when I first receive it?
With most of our finishes, we recommend wiping your product with an oily cloth before, or just after, you install it. We also recommend periodically oiling any moving parts.
With our Beeswax products, temperature changes can sometimes cause a white bloom to form which will be visible when opening the package. To remove this bloom and restore the finish, we recommend buffing these products with a soft, lint-free cloth.
How can I maintain my product's finish?
We recommend occasionally oiling moving parts on all our products. For most finishes, we suggest wiping the surface with a lightly oiled cloth to clean, but for our Beeswax products, we recommend occasionally wiping with Maintenance Wax to restore its authentic appearance.
Don't use chemical cleaners on our products as they can cause permanent damage (except Brasso on our Brass products).
Always use the recommended products for external use or you risk damaging the finish.
What should I do if there's issues with the finish of my product?
Whilst we endeavour to quality control all our products, there may still be an occasional issue. If you're unhappy with the condition your product has arrived in, please get in touch with the retailer you purchased it from. They may ask for a photo of the problem to help them find a solution. If there is an issue with the quality, we'll send you a replacement.
Where can I find more information about your finishes?
Our Brochure contains lots of information about both our finishes and product specifications. You can find your free copy at the bottom of the page. The Inspiration section of our website also has a Finishes Guide and a ton of Videos to help you!
How quickly do your Brass products tarnish? Can I accelerate/prevent this process?
Our Brass products age naturally over time, and although the length of this process varies, large amounts of residue, pollution, or salt in the atmosphere will accelerate it. When unlacquered Brass products oxidise, they become duller and develop a dark patina, but this is not the same as corrosion.
We love the timeless appearance of this tarnish, but if you want to restore your product’s original shine, we recommend occasionally polishing them with a little Brasso.
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