Brass Care Guide
PlatePrestige Care Guide
Brass Hardware Care Guide
How to clean, maintain, and preserve your PlatePrestige brass switches, dimmers, and plates across all finish types.
In this guide
All Finishes
General Care Tips
These guidelines apply to every PlatePrestige brass finish. Following them consistently will keep your hardware looking its best for years to come.
Use a Soft Cloth
Always clean with a soft, damp microfibre cloth. Avoid scouring pads, rough sponges, or abrasive materials that can scratch the surface.
Mild Soap Only
For stubborn marks, use a very mild dish soap diluted in water — applied to a lightly dampened cloth, not directly to the brass. Wipe clean and dry immediately. Keep moisture out of switches, outlets and other electrical openings.
Dust Regularly
A quick wipe with a dry, soft cloth removes buildup and prevents the dullness that comes from dust settling on brass surfaces over time.
Dry Immediately
After any damp cleaning, always dry the surface straight away with a clean, soft cloth. Lingering moisture can accelerate tarnishing or affect lacquer.
Finish Guide
Polished & Lacquer-Sealed Brass
Polished Brass
Lacquer-sealed · Low maintenance · Retains brilliant shine
Our polished brass finishes are protected with a durable clear lacquer to prevent tarnishing and maintain their brilliant shine without the need for constant polishing. This is our lowest-maintenance finish — designed to stay beautiful with minimal effort.
✓ Do
- Wipe regularly with a soft, damp cloth
- Dry immediately after any damp cleaning
- Use mild soap diluted in water for stubborn marks
- Dust weekly with a dry microfibre cloth
✕ Don't
- Use brass polish or metal polish compounds
- Use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads
- Apply ammonia, bleach, or vinegar
- Leave moisture sitting on the surface
Why no polish?
Brass polish is designed to remove oxidation from bare metal. On lacquered brass, it will strip or cloud the protective coating — leaving the surface dull and vulnerable to rapid tarnishing. Damp cloth cleaning is all you need.
Finish Guide
Aged Brass (Lacquered)
Aged Brass
Lacquer-sealed antique patina · Rich warm tones · Stable finish
Our Aged Brass finish is given an aged patina and sealed with lacquer to help preserve its appearance. It still needs gentle cleaning. This is different from Unlacquered Aged Brass, which is pre-aged but left unsealed and can continue to develop patina.
✓ Do
- Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth
- Wipe smudges with a soft, damp cloth
- Dry the surface immediately after cleaning
- Handle with clean, dry hands where possible
✕ Don't
- Use brass polish or abrasive cleaners
- Apply harsh chemicals or strong solvents
- Scrub with rough materials
- Allow water or cleaning product to pool on surface
Finish Guide
Raw Brass (Unlacquered)
Raw Unlacquered Brass
No lacquer · Living finish · Naturally develops patina over time
Raw brass is unlacquered and designed to naturally oxidise and develop a unique, deeper patina over time. The speed and character of this process is influenced by your environment — humidity, light, and how often the hardware is touched all play a role. No two pieces age in exactly the same way, which is part of the beauty.
Understanding the living finish
Unlacquered brass is a living finish. It will change in tone and develop character as it ages — this is intentional, not a defect. The starting appearance depends on the product: bright raw brass may deepen towards amber and brown, while PlatePrestige’s Unlacquered Aged Brass already has a pre-aged patina. Humidity and handling affect subsequent changes; no fixed aging timetable or identical result is guaranteed.
We recommend embracing this natural evolution. It is what makes unlacquered brass genuinely distinctive from any coated or plated alternative.
✓ Do
- Allow the brass to age naturally — this is the intended look
- Wipe regularly with a dry, soft cloth to remove oils that accelerate tarnishing
- Ask us about your exact finish before choosing a specialist cleaner or polish
- Accept that every piece will age uniquely to its environment
✕ Don't
- Use strong acids or industrial abrasive compounds
- Apply vinegar, bleach, or ammonia-based cleaners
- Expect it to look the same indefinitely — patina is normal
- Use lacquer-based products — they will seal unevenly
Before polishing an unlacquered finish
A suitable specialist brass cleaner may be used on a confirmed bright, raw-brass finish according to its product instructions. This is not a universal method for every unlacquered product. On Unlacquered Aged Brass, polishing can remove the intentionally aged surface rather than restore the appearance you ordered. Ask PlatePrestige for finish-specific advice first; do not use brass polish on lacquer-sealed finishes.
Care questions?
We're here to help.
If you have questions about caring for your specific finish, or encounter anything not covered in this guide, our team is happy to assist.