Brushed nickel is a popular finish for fixtures and hardware in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of homes. Unlike polished finishes that have a mirror-like look, brushed nickel has a dull, matte appearance that camouflages fingerprints and water spots. But some homeowners notice that their brushed nickel fixtures seem to change color over time, leading them to wonder: does brushed nickel change color?
What is brushed nickel?
Brushed nickel refers to a finish that is applied to fixtures, hardware, and other items to give them a distinctive appearance. It gets its name from the brushing process used to create the finish’s distinctive texture.
Pure nickel is a shiny silver metal. But in brushed nickel finishes, the nickel is mixed with other metals like copper, zinc, and tin to dull down the shine and create a grayish, matte look. The brushing process further mutes the finish by creating fine scratches on the surface.
Compared to polished chrome and stainless steel, brushed nickel has a warmer, more subtle color. It pairs well with many designs from traditional to contemporary. The soft, understated look of brushed nickel allows it to blend in rather than stand out.
Does brushed nickel change color over time?
Brushed nickel finishes can change color over time, gradually taking on a warmer, golden hue. However, the degree of color change varies.
There are a few reasons why brushed nickel may change color:
- Exposure to air causes oxidation – When the nickel in the finish is exposed to oxygen in the air, a natural oxidation process occurs. This causes the brushed nickel to take on a subtler, more golden tone over time.
- Exposure to light causes photo-oxidation – Sunlight and artificial lights contain UV rays that accelerate oxidation. This photo-oxidation process causes more extensive color changes in brushed nickel.
- Variation in composition – Not all brushed nickel finishes have the same formula. More copper content can lead to faster warming of the color. Higher zinc content may make the finish more resistant to color change.
- Quality of application – Brushed nickel is only as durable as its application. Poor plating quality or thickness may lead to faster wear and more rapid color change.
Where does brushed nickel change color the most?
The degree of color change depends on where the brushed nickel finish is used. Areas that receive more handling and exposure to light and moisture tend to exhibit more color change over time.
Places where brushed nickel finishes often change color include:
- Faucets – Kitchen and bathroom faucets in frequent use will slowly take on a warmer, golden hue. The finish may also wear down more noticeably along the handles and spout.
- Cabinet knobs and pulls – Knobs and pulls see a lot of handling. The finish around the edges of knobs will often fade and change color more rapidly from oxidation and frequent touching.
- Shower heads – Shower heads are exposed to warm steam, moisture, and daily use. These conditions cause the finish to gradually shift in color and sheen.
- Light fixtures – Lights, especially those with bulbs that emit UV light, will cause brushed nickel finishes to exhibit more extensive photo-oxidation.
- Door handles and railings – High-touch surfaces like doorknobs and railings tend to change color more quickly from the oils in skin.
In most cases, the color change is gradual. It may take months or years to notice a significant difference. Proper cleaning helps slow color changes by removing dirt, grime, and oils that speed up oxidation.
Does brushed nickel turn green or black?
While brushed nickel will subtly shift to a warmer tone over time, it should not turn green or black if it is a quality finish properly applied to nickel or nickel alloy metals. The greenish or black discoloration that sometimes occurs results from an entirely different process:
- Tarnishing – This reaction causes black, green, or gray corrosion on the surface of metals like silver and copper when they are exposed to sulfur-containing compounds. But nickel does not tarnish in the same way, so quality brushed nickel finishes should not turn green or black.
- Rust – When the underlying metal contains iron, it can start to oxidize and turn a red-orange rust color. This should not happen with real nickel or nickel alloys.
- Pitting – Over time, low-grade finishes with poor nickel content can start to corrode and pit. Corrosion by-products can turn the finish black.
If brushed nickel takes on a strange green, black, or red rust color, it likely indicates that the finish was poorly formulated or improperly applied. This can expose the underlying base metal and lead to corrosion. The discolored finish needs to be replaced.
Maintaining brushed nickel finishes
To help brushed nickel fixtures retain their original appearance longer:
- Use mild soap and water for regular cleaning. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing that can wear down the finish.
- Rinse and thoroughly dry after cleaning to prevent water spots.
- Apply a thin layer of paste wax occasionally to add a protective barrier.
- Limit use of cleaners containing chlorine, bleach, ammonia, or acid.
- For bath fixtures, wipe down after use and allow the area to dry completely to prevent mineral buildup.
With proper care and cleaning, quality brushed nickel finishes should maintain their original muted, grayish color longer without succumbing to wear, corrosion, or excessive tarnishing.
Refinishing brushed nickel
If brushed nickel fixtures eventually take on too much discoloration, the finish can be refinished to restore the original appearance. This involves stripping off the old finish and re-applying a new brushed nickel coating.
Refinishing is typically done by a professional refinisher. The process involves:
- Removing the fixture and stripping the original finish. This may use chemical stripping agents.
- Blasting the surface with baking soda or another media to remove any remaining finish and corrosion.
- Applying nickel electroplating to coat the underlying metal with a uniform brushed nickel finish.
- Sealing the finish with a clearcoat for protection.
DIY brushed nickel finish kits are also available. But professional refinishing usually produces better results and a more durable brushed nickel coating.
Should brushed nickel be replaced with a different metal?
If the color change of brushed nickel becomes bothersome, it is possible to replace nickel fixtures with a different metal finish that maintains its color better, such as:
- Polished chrome – Chrome resists tarnishing and oxidation very well. But fingerprints show easily on the polished finish.
- Satin chrome – Has a less shiny appearance than polished chrome while still resisting corrosion.
- Stainless steel – More resistant to corrosion and oxidation than nickel alloys.
- Oil-rubbed bronze – Has a dark, antique-like look and forms a patina but does not corrode significantly.
- Brass – Develops a patina over time but is less prone to corrosion than nickel alloys.
The downside is that replacing all the brushed nickel fixtures in a home can get expensive. Using a protective wax coating and limiting light/humidity exposure can help brushed nickel maintains its original appearance longer before a switch to a different metal becomes necessary.
Conclusion
Brushed nickel offers an attractive, understated finish for fixtures when first installed in a home. But over months and years of use, brushed nickel can gradually take on a warmer, more golden tone from oxidation and exposure to light. The degree of color change depends on factors like where the finish is used and the quality of the plating. While this natural wearing of the finish may not bother some homeowners, others may eventually opt to refinish or replace items if the color shift becomes too pronounced. With proper care and cleaning, brushed nickel can better maintain its original muted gray color – but some subtle darkening is inevitable.