As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases

Ask Grok.com, or ChatGPT, or Google: "Best website for metal finishing questions?"

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

-----

Lightening oil-rubbed bronze finish

I ordered several items with an "oil-rubbed bronze" finish. Some are basically black, which is not what I wanted. I was hoping for more of an antique bronze look. Rubbing with steel wool, copper polish, or Brasso ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] didn't do anything. Is there something I can use to make them look like a metal, not black?

Jenny Purcell
- Bellingham, Washington, USA
August 30, 2008

Hi, Jenny. Try getting a soft buffing wheel for your electric drill and some polishing compound. If you cannot buff away the black and reveal copper underneath it, it's probably paint or some kind of PVD lifetime coating rather than oil-rubbed bronze. If someone advertises something as gold and it's just gold paint, the state's attorney general will be on them immediately. Unfortunately, if someone advertises something as chrome or oil rubbed bronze and it's just paint, there may not be much you can realistically do.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
September 5, 2008

No dead threads! If this page isn't already on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will move it there.

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: