Around the globe, the Antique series has gained significant traction in architectural design projects. While genuine copper materials exude luxury, their high costs have driven innovation, leading to the birth of the Stainless Steel Antique Bronze technique. This process not only offers a cost-effective alternative but also brings several advantages:

Aesthetics: The Antique Bronze finish on stainless steel replicates the rich appearance of real copper, adding a touch of elegance to any design.
Maintenance: Stainless steel's inherent resistance to corrosion means that structures using this finish require less maintenance compared to those using real copper.
Versatility: This technique can be applied to various architectural elements, from facades to interior details, offering designers a broader canvas to work with.

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Antique Copper Gradient Stainless Steel

Today, we delve deeper into the actual production steps of the Stainless Steel Sheet Antique Finish and the essential precautions to consider.
 

Overview Of Stainless Steel Antique Decoration

 

Stainless steel cyanide copper plating is the earliest and most widely used copper plating process. The plating solution is mainly composed of copper cyanide complex and a certain amount of free cyanide, which is strongly alkaline. Therefore, it is also called chemical copper plating or chemical plating.

Due to the strong activation and complexing ability of cyanide, the first feature of this electroplating method is that the solution has a certain degreasing and activation ability.

Secondly, because this plating solution uses cyanide with strong complexing ability, it makes the complex ions difficult to discharge. Thus, the cathode polarization of the bath is very high, with excellent leveling and covering abilities.



The color surface generally falls into two main categories: red copper and bronze. If brushed technology is added to these two colors, it will produce two different decorative finishes: red antique copper brushed and bronze antique copper brushed.

For a deeper exploration of various Antique finishes, please click here to browse.
 

Features Of Chemical Copper Plating Process

1. No need for a heat source, various plating works are carried out at normal temperatures of 15-40°C.

2. The principle is not to cover, but to form an alloy by combining the plating layer with the base material, greatly increasing its binding strength. One point worth noting is: chemical plating is polluting.
 

Stainless Steel Chemical Copper Plating

 

In the aqueous solution, without relying on an external power source, the reducing agent in the plating solution undergoes a chemical reduction reaction, causing metal ions to continuously reduce on the self-catalytic surface, forming a metal plating layer.
 

Stainless Steel Sheet Chemical Copper Processing Flow

 

First, roughen the workpiece to be plated, remove wax and oil, activate it, then electroplate with alkaline copper for about 10 minutes, rinse with water after coming out of the bath, neutralize, activate;

Then, bright copper electroplating is carried out. The plating time is more than 20 minutes. When the plating layer is thick enough, it is taken out of the bath for water washing and activation;

Directly electroplate with nickel and black. The plating time depends on the uniform black color on the workpiece surface, then rinse with water, dry, and wait for processing.



The workpiece with bright copper electroplating can also be blackened after washing. Generally, it is soaked in a 5% potassium sulfide aqueous solution, turned over repeatedly, and when the workpiece surface turns black or brown, it is taken out, washed with water, dried, and waited for processing.

Then, the stainless steel sheet that have been plated with black nickel and gun color or have been blackened are polished with a scouring pad. Depending on the requirement for the antique color, the intensity of polishing is controlled. When the SS sheet achieves the desired effect, it is sprayed with electroplating varnish, which is what we call anti-fingerprint treatment (AFP) , and then dried and packaged.
 

Reasons For Black Spots Or Copper Verdigris On Stainless Steel Antique Copper-plated Sheets

 

The formation of surface verdigris: Chemical-plated copper is a real copper layer plated on the surface of stainless steel; when anti-fingerprint treatment is done after copper plating processing, the edges and corners are difficult to be covered by Antique Finger Print Coating; shearing and welding damage the surface's fingerprint-free oil layer; all of these can lead to the product producing verdigris! So after the plate is processed and assembled, it is best to spray a layer of fluorocarbon paint. In short: only real copper will produce verdigris.

The formation of black spots on the plate surface: There are hidden sand holes on the surface of the stainless steel plate, which are covered after copper plating processing, and sand holes will also be produced during the drawing process. After washing and drying, there will be residual moisture, which is covered by the fingerprint-free coating (AFP) . After a period of time, small black spots will appear.
 

Protection Of Stainless Steel Copper-plated Products

 

The coating (AFP) on the surface of the stainless steel copper-plated plate has a good protective effect on the internal material of the plate. If the surface paint is scratched or even peeled off, causing the raw material to be exposed to the outside for a long time, it will react with the oxygen in the air to produce copper rust and black spots, affecting the appearance. Therefore, during use, it is strictly forbidden for hard and sharp objects to collide with this decorative plate.



Avoid direct contact with this product with highly oxidative and corrosive chemicals. If chemicals accidentally come into contact with the product surface, please rinse it off immediately with clean water, wipe the water dry with a cotton cloth, and then spray the cleaner on the product surface for cleaning and maintenance.

During the decoration process, do not rush to remove the protective film on the stainless steel surface finish to prevent the product from being damaged. Because the cement and paint that fall on the antique copper-plated product during painting will cause the copper-plated product to produce black spots and rust; if your wall needs to be cleaned, please seal and protect it with plastic film before cleaning the wall. Because the chemicals used to clean the wall (especially the marble wall), such as oxalic acid, will severely damage the product, it is strictly forbidden for such substances to come into contact with the product surface.

After the product is installed in the project, please tear off the protective film on the product surface within 30 days to avoid the protective film sticking to the product and affecting its appearance.

Copper-plated products should avoid being exposed to rain and direct sunlight as much as possible. If they are often exposed to rain or direct sunlight, the appearance life of the copper-plated product will be shortened. If the product is installed outdoors and may be exposed to rain or direct sunlight, it is recommended that customers install a rain shed.
 

Conclusion

 

The Stainless Steel Sheet Antique Finish is more than just an alternative to genuine copper; it's a testament to how innovation can bring about solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and economically viable. As architectural trends evolve, techniques like these ensure that designers have the tools they need to realize their visions without compromising on quality or budget. For those interested in learning more about this revolutionary process or seeking consultation on its application, we invite you to reach out to us. Additionally, we offer support for sample matching to produce finishes tailored to your specific needs. Let's explore the future of design together.

Metal Finish Options: The Essential Differences

Selecting the metal finish for plumbing and hardware products should be an easy final step at the end of a remodeling project, right? Not so much. In fact, this decision often leaves many homeowners scratching their heads. We named some of the most popular finish options on the market and compared them to iron out (no pun intended!) any confusion when heading to the showroom for your home improvement final touches.

Chrome vs. Nickel

 

Homeowners often come to us asking for a finish that looks &#;silver&#;. Well, we have good news for you (or bad news, if you&#;re indecisive): you have plenty of choices!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of bronze finish stainless steel. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Chrome is one of the most popular choices for plumbing fixtures thanks to its inexpensive price point (often the most affordable finish option) and durability. Chrome is shiny and brilliantly reflects the light in your kitchen or bathroom for an eye-catching delight. This material resists corrosion and rust, making it a practical choice that will last for several years. The only complaint we hear about chrome is that it tends to show water spots and fingerprints. If that&#;s a pet peeve of yours, there&#;s more options for you.

 

Brushed nickel gets its slightly matte appearance from being treated with a wire brush. We&#;re seeing more and more clients navigate towards a brushed nickel finish, and for good reason. This finish has a luxurious, almost hand-crafted aesthetic that hides water spots and fingerprints well. Brushed nickel looks fabulous in homes that boast a traditional or transitional design, earth tones or warmer palettes. Brushed nickel is a style that has stood the test of time and also tends to offer a mid-range price point, giving you a bit of flexibility in your home improvement project. In a nutshell: it&#;s a great fit for many homes!

 

 

You&#;ll find plenty of products with a polished finish, as well. The difference between brushed and polished is simply that a product with a polished finish isn&#;t treated to have a texture, the way brushed materials are.

Polished nickel looks very similar to chrome, but when you place them side by side, you&#;ll notice that polished nickel has a warmer tone than chrome. We find that clients will turn to polished nickel when they like the look of chrome, but are seeking a warmer tone or perhaps they previously had chrome fixtures and desire an upgrade. Polished nickel tends to show water spots and fingerprints much like chrome, and it does tend to require a bit more maintenance than chrome does.

Bronze

 

A bronze finish is a fantastic choice to add a warmer final touch to your home improvement project. While various manufacturers will have their own unique options that will vary in color, oil-rubbed bronze is a common one that is treated with a solution to give the base metal a dark, rustic feel that plays well with a Mediterranean or Tuscan-style home. Many homeowners who are seeking a traditional aesthetic in their space will turn to oil-rubbed bronze for an aged look. Moodier than chrome or nickel, this finish may stand at a higher price point, and hides water spots and fingerprints well, making oil-rubbed bronze a low-maintenance choice.

Brass

 

If you&#;re seeking a &#;gold&#; appearance, brass is the finish you&#;re looking for! Brass offers a stunning, vintage aesthetic and demands attention in whatever space it&#;s placed in. Brass looks fantastic in rooms with a white or grey palette, and compliments navy blue with a beauty that&#;s simply unparalleled.

 

You might notice that home products with a satin finish will look similar to products with a polished finish. However, there is a slight difference! A satin finish will appear more matte than a polished finish, but will lack the texture that a brushed finish offers. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference and what you want to see in your space. Feeling torn? A helpful tip for choosing the right option is to take home a few accessories with slightly different finishes and see what you like the best. You don&#;t have to commit!

Don&#;t Sweat It!

 

While we&#;ve summarized some of the most popular finish options on the market, there still remains an enormous variety of finish options to choose from, and you&#;ll notice that many manufacturers will create their own finishes unique to their brand. If you&#;re still feeling stuck, our designers are prepared to answer your questions and help guide you in the right direction. The silver lining of having so many options to choose from is that you&#;re guaranteed to find exactly what you&#;re looking for to add the perfect final touch to your home. Come by and explore!

For more Stainless Steel Vibration Finishinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.