Grag Studios - Finishes Offered

We regret that we can no longer offer Overall Nickel finishes on most units because plating services are no longer available to us. We recommend Nickel-Bronze or Gunmetal-Nickel as a suitable substitute. Both may be done in either polished or satin finish. Consult factory for details.
ANTIQUE BRASS (AB)	Satin antique hand rubbed overall without highlights. Lacquered, wax optional.
BRASS PATINA (BP)	Antique brass with hand rubbed and brushed highlights (as shown in most photographs). Lacquered, wax optional.
BUTLER FINISH (BF)	Similar to BRASS PATINA but with minimum oxidation. Overall hand rubbed and brushed finish (like highlights on BP). Lacquered, wax optional.
COPPER BRASS (CB)	Fixtures are Brass Patina with Copper Patina leaves, bobeches, candle cups, ornaments and canopy. Lacquered, wax optional.
COPPER PATINA ( CP)	Antique copper with hand rubbed and brushed highlights. Lacquered, wax optional.
GOLD GILT (GG)	A finish resembling aged and mellowed gilding with patina undertones.
GUNMETAL NICKEL (GN)	Fixtures are metallic black with nickel silver leaves, bobeches, candle cups, ornaments and canopy. Lacquered, nickel parts waxed.
NICKEL BRONZE (NB)	Fixtures are dark bronze with nickel silver leaves, bobeches, candle cups, ornaments and canopy. Lacquer on bronze, nickel silver parts waxed. (This finish was formerly known as NICKEL SILVER.)
POLISHED NICKEL (PN)	Parts are all polished nickel with some patina in normally shadowed areas. More or less patina optional: contact factory. Finish is waxed, not lacquered.
SATIN NICKEL (SN)	Parts are all brushed nickel with some patina in normally shadowed areas. Patina can be more or less, to taste: contact factory. Finish is waxed.
OVERALL BRONZE (OB)	Fixtures are dark bronze. (Areas can be highlighted BRASS PATINA on request). Lacquered, wax optional.
OVERALL GUNMETAL (OG)	Fixtures are metallic black with a lacquered finish. Wax optional.
VERDE ANTIQUE (VA)	Fixtures are hand finished with a blue-green Verde antique finish.
NOTE: Wax is available on normally lacquered finishes with a five percent upcharge.

OXIDIZED FINISHING - A THREE STAGE PROCESS

OXIDIZING
The general term of “oxidizing” is applied to the chemical coloring of metals. The oldest method, and the one that will produce the largest number of shades ranging from black to light brown, is the use of an alkaline sulfide. These sulfide salts were once known as “liver of sulfur” but now are divided into sodium, potassium, barium, ammonium or polysulfides, (polysulfides in the liquid state being used most generally today). The color obtained is dependant upon the composition of the base metal. The colors produced on cast items seldom match those produced on wrought metals. The polysulfide is applied by dipping or hand application to specified areas. The color is
then “set” with a weak acid solution. This process is generally repeated several times until the desired shade is obtained.

RELIEVING (RUBBING)
Relieving, to obtain a contrast of color, is done with either wet or dry pumice depending on how aggressive the removal of the oxidize has to be. Most of the relief is done by tampico or wire wheel on a scratch brush machine or by hand with a tampico brush or scrub pad. This is then followed by hand rubbing with pumice and finished with a dry brass wheel on the scratch brush. In some cases, the oxidize is relieved by use of a suitable buffing compound and loose muslin buff.

LACQUERING or WAXING
All sulfide colors are susceptible to the action of the atmosphere, especially if warm and moist. Lacquering or waxing of the work helps maintain the finish for an extended period.