Natural or Uncoated Finishes
Often called living finishes, these can age naturally, patina or change with use. While many people love this aspect of natural finishes, you may want to occasionally clean or restore it to its' natural shine.
Oil Rubbed Bronze
Bronze or Brass Patina
Brushed or polished Stainless Steel
Burnished or Polished Copper
Unlacquered Brass
Cleaning - Flitz Premium Microfiber Polishing Cloth with a small amount of the Flitz Metal, Plastic & Fiberglass Polish with Corrosion Protection will work wonders on general dirt and even water spots.
Electroplated Finishes
Thanks to the finishing process of these metals many end up much more durable than things like living finishes.
Polished Chrome
Satin Chrome
Polished Nickel
Brushed Nickel
Polished Gold
Satin Gold
Cleaning - For chrome and nickel (polished & brushed) the Flitz Stainless Steel & Chrome Clean will be the best option. Simply spraying and wiping with the Flitz Microfiber Cloth will be enough to keep it in good condition and get rid of things like water spots, finger prints, etc. It's when you get to gold that you should go back to the more gentle Flitz Metal, Plastic & Fiberglass Polish.
Coated Finishes
Coated finishes are finishes that have been cleaned and colored or clear coatings are applied and then cured to hardness by a variety of techniques.
Polished Brass
Lacquered Brass
Antique Nickel
Antique Brass
Antique Copper
Cleaning - The Flitz Metal, Plastic & Fiberglass Polish along with the Flitz Microfiber Cloth are perfect for treating vulnerable finishes like these. When it comes to delicate metals make sure to avoid harsh chemicals like ammonia or acids and instead use gentle polishes or waxes that would be suitable for paint or cars.
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Finishes
Most commonly known as PVD, these finishes are part of a new type of technology that is being pushed to the front of design as it can create both a beautiful and tough final product. Thanks to the new technology that goes into these finishes they are the most durable to date. Manufacturers are often offering lifetime warranties with them and they are suitable for use in all environments.
PVD Polished Brass
PVD Polished Nickel
PVD Brushed Nickel
PVD Stainless
Cleaning - Simply wipe with a soft, damp cloth.
Protecting Your Finishes
Flitz Faucet Wax+ is a smart choice when it comes to preemptive protection for your finishes. Using the very powerful Carnauba wax (also called Brazil wax or palm wax), simply apply some to a small area and let it dry to a haze and then buff.
A final word of caution: When attempting to clean any of your finishes make sure to always, ALWAYS, test your cleaning materials on a small, unseen area first before proceeding to the rest of the finished area.
All of the Flitz products mentioned in this post are available for purchase here at Flow Bath+Kitchen Design Studio. If you have questions about these products or wish to purchase them give us a call at (215) 454-2258 or come on in to the showroom. We're located at 127 S Easton Rd. Glenside, PA 19038.