Tapware finishes: chrome, PVD and powder coat
Chrome tapware is electroplated, usually the cheapest and the easiest to keep shiny. Brushed nickel, gunmetal and brushed gold are usually PVD, a thin vapour-deposited coating that is harder and more scratch-resistant than plating. Matte black is powder coat or PVD and shows white limescale marks. A basin mixer in Melbourne typically costs $120–$460, with chrome at the lower end.
| Finish | Usually made by | Shows | Hides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Electroplating | Water spots, fingerprints | Scratches stay bright |
| Brushed nickel | PVD | Very little | Spots and fingerprints |
| Gunmetal | PVD | Limescale a little | Fingerprints |
| Brushed gold / brass | PVD | Very little | Spots and fingerprints |
| Matte black | Powder coat or PVD | White limescale | Fingerprints |
Electroplating vs PVD
Electroplating builds up layers of nickel and chrome on the brass body. PVD, physical vapour deposition, bonds a very thin metal-ceramic layer in a vacuum chamber. It is what makes coloured finishes like gunmetal and brushed gold practical, and it resists scratches better than a plated colour would.
Cleaning
Use warm water, a little mild soap and a soft cloth, then dry it. Avoid vinegar, bleach, bathroom sprays with acid and scourers on any coloured finish. In hard-water areas, drying matte black after use stops limescale building up.
Matching a bathroom
Pick one finish for the tapware, shower, towel rail and screen hardware. Our shower screens come in chrome, matte black, brushed nickel and brushed gold; towel rails in chrome, matte black and brushed nickel.