Lacquered vs Unlacquered Brass: Which Finish Should You Choose?

Lacquered vs unlacquered brass comes down to one clear coat. Lacquered brass has one, and it keeps the metal bright. Unlacquered brass is bare metal that darkens as you use it and can be polished back to a shine whenever you like. Pick lacquered if you want the finish to look the same for years; pick unlacquered if you want a finish that ages with your home and never peels.

What is lacquered brass?

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Lacquered brass has a clear coat, applied at the factory, that seals the surface from air and moisture so the metal underneath doesn't tarnish. As long as the coat is intact, a lacquered faucet keeps its polished or satin look.

The weak point is the coat itself. On a faucet, the handles and spout are touched, splashed and wiped every day, and scrubbing or abrasive cleaners wear the lacquer faster. Once it chips or wears through, the exposed brass tarnishes while the coated parts stay bright, which leaves a patchy look. The only real fix is to strip the remaining lacquer, then polish or recoat the whole piece.

What is unlacquered brass?

Unlacquered brass is solid brass with nothing on it. It starts out bright gold and slowly darkens as it reacts with air, water and the oils on your hands, moving through honey and amber tones toward a deep brown. That's why it's often called a living finish: no two pieces age exactly alike.

Because there is no coating, there is nothing to peel. If you want the shine back, a brass polish returns it to bright metal, and the patina starts again. Our kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets and shower systems are made in solid unlacquered brass.

Lacquered vs unlacquered brass at a glance

Pros and cons of unlacquered brass

Pros

• Nothing to peel or flake, even on a faucet you use all day.
• You can reset it: polish it bright, or let it darken.
• It ages naturally, which suits older homes and classic kitchens.
• Each piece develops its own character.

Cons

• Fingerprints and water spots show in the first weeks.
• It ages unevenly at first, and the in-between stage can last a few months.
• Acidic splashes, such as lemon or tomato, leave brighter spots until the patina catches up.
• If you want a uniform gold that never changes, it will frustrate you.

Pros and cons of lacquered brass

Pros

• A consistent, bright finish from day one.
• Fewer visible fingerprints and spots.
• Little care beyond a soft cloth and mild soap.

Cons

• The coat wears on high-touch fixtures, and the wear shows as patchy tarnish.
• You can't polish it without damaging the coat.
• Repairing it means stripping and refinishing the whole piece.

Should you choose lacquered or unlacquered brass?

Choose unlacquered brass if:

• you like the look of aged brass in old houses, farmhouses and traditional kitchens
• the fixture will get heavy daily use, where a clear coat would wear anyway
• you would rather polish a finish than replace it

Choose lacquered brass if:

• you want a polished gold that stays uniform
• fingerprints and water spots will bother you
• it has to match other fixtures that won't change color

One more check before you buy: finishes sold as satin brass, brushed gold or champagne bronze are often a factory coating, such as lacquer or PVD, designed not to change. If you want a patina, look for the words “unlacquered” or “living finish” in the description.

How to tell if brass is lacquered

• Fingerprints. Bare brass shows fingerprints within days of use. Lacquered brass stays even.
• Years without polish. Brass that has stayed bright for years without polishing is coated.
• Patchy tarnish or flaking. Dark patches next to bright areas, or a film lifting at the edges, usually mean the lacquer is failing.
• A magnet. If a magnet sticks, the piece is brass-plated steel, not solid brass.

How to remove lacquer from brass

If you'd rather let an old lacquered piece age naturally, you can strip the coat:

1. Small pieces: add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to about 33 oz (1 liter) of water, bring it to a boil and leave the piece in for about 15 minutes. Lift it out with tongs and rinse it. Once it's cool, wipe off any remaining flakes with acetone nail polish remover.
2. Larger pieces: use a commercial lacquer remover from a hardware store and follow its instructions. Wear gloves and eye protection, and work in a ventilated space.
3. Then polish the bare brass. From here on, it will age like any unlacquered piece.

For an installed faucet, take it off before you strip it, or ask a plumber, so no chemicals reach the valves and seals.

How to clean lacquered and unlacquered brass

Lacquered brass: wipe it with a soft damp cloth and a little mild soap, then dry it. Skip brass polish, abrasive pads and harsh cleaners, which scratch or dissolve the coat.

Unlacquered brass: the same soap and water works for daily cleaning. Dry it after use if you want to slow the patina, or leave it to darken. When you want the shine back, see our guide on how to clean unlacquered brass, and our patina timeline for what to expect month by month.

FAQ

Does lacquered brass tarnish?

Not while the coat is intact. Once it chips or wears through, the exposed brass tarnishes, usually in patches around the handles and spout.

What happens to unlacquered brass after 10 years?

It keeps darkening toward a deep brown, with high-touch spots showing more wear. It won't peel or flake, because there is no coating, and it can still be polished back to bright brass.

Can you lacquer unlacquered brass later?

Yes. A clear brass lacquer can be applied to clean, polished brass. On a faucet, though, it will wear in the same places a factory coat would.