How to Maintain and Care for Electroplated Finishes

Electroplated finishes offer exceptional durability and ease of maintenance which makes them well suited for high traffic environments such as kitchens and powder rooms. Proper care helps preserve the appearance of these architectural hardware finishes long term.

What is an electroplated finish? 

An electroplated finish is a metallic finish bonded to the hardware. This makes the metal highly durable and with proper care and maintenance it retains the original appearance over time. 

H. Theophile electroplated finishes are all nickel and chrome variants, which include polished, brushed and satin finish options.

Routine Care and Cleaning for Electroplated Finishes 

NEVER USE HARSH CHEMICAL CLEANERS OR ABRASIVES 

Routine Cleaning 

Regular cleaning with mild soap and a soft cloth is recommended. Make sure to rinse thoroughly as soap residue can dull the finish. Dry immediately to prevent water spots. 

If polished nickel, satin nickel, or chrome hardware is handled regularly and left too long without care it can tarnish or stain, which may appear as brown discoloration. This can be addressed using either of the following methods. 

Dry Method 

The dry method involves using a Double Brilliant Polishing Cloth, which are commercially available clothes used by jewelry designers. They have a blue cloth and a yellow cloth. The yellow cloth is typically used first, and is impregnated with a non-toxic polishing compound to remove stains and tarnish. The blue cloth is standard polishing cloth used to further buff the hardware after using the yellow cloth.

Wet Method 

Mr. Metal is a commercially available polishing liquid suitable for gentle cleaning of hardware and for dissolving tarnish and removing grime. Apply Mr. Metal to a soft cloth and wipe the hardware surface in a circular motion until the tarnish or stain is broken down. Allow the product to dry and wipe off with a clean cloth. A damp cloth can be used to ensure all residue is removed from the surface. Caution should be used when cleaning around wood or painted surfaces. 

Stubborn Staining 

If the above methods are unsuccessful, Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths may be used for more difficult staining. Because this method can leave polishing residue, we recommend removing the hardware prior to cleaning whenever possible. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and protect all adjacent finished surfaces.

Professional Refinishing 

If your hardware has developed significant oxidation or staining that cannot be removed through routine care, please contact H. Theophile for refinishing to restore the desired appearance. 

Materials: 

Double Brilliant Polishing Cloths:

For dry and regular cleaning of electroplated finishes

Mr Metal:

For wet method cleaning of approved finishes

Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths:

For intensive cleaning of approve electroplated finishes