Kingston Brass is a prominent and leading company in the dynamic world of kitchen and bath design, recognized for its exceptional kitchen and bathroom fixtures. With a commitment to quality, Kingston has garnered a reputation for delivering top-quality fixtures that cater to the diverse needs of consumers. When it comes to design, durability, and function, a faucet’s color and finish play a big role. You’ll want to choose the best finish for your specific needs and preferences. However, this faucet finish and color guide will assist you in making an informed decision and forecast the quality to expect from Kingston’s premium finishes.

Kingston’s Color Finishes

Antique Brass

A mix of gold and black tones, antique brass is electroplated and lacquered.

Antique Copper

Brushed Brass

Our quality brushed brass finish is achieved through PVD coating. This premium brushed finish is durable and reliable. 

Brushed Nickel

This finish has a slightly warmer undertone to pair with other colors used in any design easily. The brushed low-gloss texture is typically achieved through the use of a wire brush or other abrasive material. This finish is achieved by electroplating and lacquer.  

Black Stainless Steel

Black Stainless Steel is a rich gunmetal reminiscent color. A silver undertone with hints of black is designed by electroplating and lacquer.

Matte Black

This finish is a bold color choice, and a durable one at that. This finish is powder coated to achieve an evenly distributed and durable coat.

Naples Bronze

Although appearing to be a cousin of oil rubbed bronze, naples bronze is its own color finish. Highlighted with copper tinted accents, this brown toned finish is electroplated and lacquered.

Oil Rubbed Bronze

Oil Rubbed Bronze is Kingston’s only living finish. A living finish is one that forever changes. As the finish is exposed to the elements and experiences regular use, its appearance changes over time, and similarly to copper, develops a gorgeous patina. This finish is unlacquered to allow for natural aging.

Polished Brass

With PVD technology at the forefront of this finish, polished brass is a gorgeous gold and durable color finish.

Polished Chrome

Stark silver in color, polished chrome is an electroplated and unlacquered finish.

Polished Nickel

Similar to polished chrome, polished nickel is silver in color but with the slightest hint of a yellow/warm undertone as opposed to a stark cool toned silver. This finish is achieved through PVD coating.

Rose Gold

With a touch of blushing pink, our rose gold finish is protected and durable thanks to the PVD coating.

White

Our white finish is powder coated, thus providing a uniform and durable coat of white color.

PVD Coated Finishes

PVD coating technology, also known as Physical Vapor Deposition, has emerged as a game-changing advancement in the realm of faucet finishes. Compared to traditional electroplating methods, PVD coating offers a range of advantages, making it an increasingly popular choice among manufacturers and consumers. One of its most notable advantages is its anti-corrosive properties, providing an additional layer of protection against wear and tear caused by exposure to moisture and chemicals commonly found in kitchen and bath environments. Notably, PVD coating is also a more environmentally friendly option compared to electroplating, as it produces fewer harmful byproducts during the application process. Its remarkable durability and longevity are due to the unique process it undergoes, ensuring better adhesion to the faucet's surface.

The PVD Coating Process

The application of PVD coating to faucets involves a sophisticated yet efficient process. Within a controlled chamber, a solid material, such as titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or zirconium, is first atomized to create a vaporized form of the desired material. This vapor then condenses and adheres to the surface of the faucet, creating a thin film coat of the chosen material. The atomized metal forms a strong bond with the faucet's surface, creating a resilient barrier that withstands daily usage, exposure to moisture, and the challenges of a busy kitchen or bath environment. PVD-coated finishes are highly resistant to scratching, chipping, and fading, maintaining their lustrous appearance for an extended period. This remarkable resilience ensures that Kingston faucets with PVD-coated finishes retain their beauty and performance, even after years of use.

Living Finishes

Living finishes possess distinctive characteristics that set them apart from traditional coatings. Living finishes evolve and develop a natural patina over time, creating a unique and ever-changing appearance. These finishes have an inherent charm, showcasing the beauty of uniqueness and embracing the passage of time. Living finishes from Kingston Brass age gracefully, adapt to their surroundings and become enriched by the elements they encounter.

The allure of living finishes lies in their dynamic nature, influenced by their environment, climate, water hardness, and even the cleaning products used on them. Over time, these finishes subtly shift in color and texture as they react to external factors. The development of a natural patina adds depth and character to the faucet, rather than a flaw or defect, making each faucet a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

If desired, users can restore the finish to its original luster using specialized copper or brass cleaners, providing the flexibility to maintain the faucet's initial appearance or let it continue to evolve gracefully over time. 

Lacquered Finishes

Lacquered finish refers to a protective coating applied to brass or metal faucets to preserve their original appearance and prevent oxidation. The lacquer creates a barrier that keeps the faucet looking shiny and polished, similar to its initial state when first installed.

Lacquered finishes have several advantages. They provide superior protection against tarnishing, water spots, and scratches, maintaining the faucet's pristine look for an extended period. Additionally, they require less maintenance and are easier to clean than unlacquered finishes. However, one drawback of lacquered finishes is that they may chip or peel over time, leading to potential aesthetic issues. As Kingston’s faucets are non-porous, only use warm soapy water to clean a lacquered faucet, and avoid any cleaners that contain harsh chemicals. Use carnauba wax or a non-abrasive wax to upkeep a glistening appearance. 

Unlacquered Finishes

An unlacquered brass finish embraces the natural process of oxidation. While some may appreciate the vintage appeal of an unlacquered finish, it requires regular maintenance and polishing to prevent excessive tarnishing and maintain its shine. Unlike lacquered finishes, unlacquered brass faucets may show signs of wear and use more visibly, which can be a desired or undesired style, depending on user preference. 

Solid Brass Faucet Construction

Brass emerges as a preferred and highly sought-after material for faucets due to its exceptional properties, combining strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Notably, brass possesses inherent antimicrobial properties, making it a hygienic and safe option for the kitchen and bathroom.

Kingston sets a benchmark for excellence in faucet construction through their commitment to using top-quality brass in their manufacturing processes. In some cases, our faucets are constructed by zinc diecast and occasionally have components composed of ABS plastic (an opaque thermoplastic and amorphous polymer). Each faucet undergoes meticulous crafting, incorporating precision engineering and innovative manufacturing methods to deliver products that boast not only exceptional brass faucet construction but also superior performance.