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Finish Care and Cleaning
GRAFF products are manufactured with the highest quality materials and the most advanced technologies available on the market. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, GRAFF has full control over the production process, including the final finishing stage, to consistently deliver exceptional products.
To maintain the look of GRAFF’s long-lasting finishes, please follow GRAFF’s simple cleaning instructions.
General Cleaning
To clean, simply wipe gently with a damp cloth and blot dry with a soft towel. Never use abrasive cleaners, acids, solvents or bleach to clean any GRAFF product.
Plated finishes
Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Brushed Nickel
Plated finishes are obtained through a process of electrodeposition – an industrial process that uses electric currents to coat metal – of nickel, chrome, and other metals on a brass base. Accordingly, they are durable and very easy to maintain. To clean, simply follow the general cleaning instructions.
Powder Coat Finishes
Architectural Black™, White, Matte Black, Steelnox® and Olive Bronze.
Powder coat finishes are developed with a dry finishing process called electrostatic spray deposition where a fine powder is applied with a gun on a metallic base and then dried at high temperatures.
Powder coat products are resistant to humidity and ultraviolet light and have a long lifespan. In addition to the beautiful texture, the powder coat treatment also reduces the risk of scratching, chipping, abrasions, corrosion, and other wear. Vintage Brushed Brass is a liquid epoxy coating with properties similar to powder coat.
To clean, simply follow the general cleaning instructions. Dirt or stains resulting from soap or toothpaste deposits should be removed by washing the unit with soapy water only. Scale deposits should be dissolved with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water, rinsed with clean water, and blotted dry with a soft cloth. Do not soak the product in the solution. As vinegar is a mild acid, prolonged contact with the finished surfaces could damage the finish coating.
Under no circumstances use coarse cloths or any abrasive cleaners, acids, solvents, or bleach. Lacquered parts must not be cleaned with chemicals containing alcohol, disinfectants, or solvents.
24K Gold and 24K Brushed Gold Finishes
GRAFF’s gold finishes are created by plating 24K gold over a nickel-plated brass surface. The result is an extremely luxurious surface with a rich color. 24K gold is precious, and also rather soft thus requiring special care and attention.
To keep your faucet clean and avoid mineral deposits, wipe the surfaces gently with a soft cloth after each use. To remove stains or dirt, apply a solution of water and neutral household soap, rinse, and wipe dry. Do not use any abrasive sponges or chemical cleaning products on these surfaces and reduce rubbing to the minimum required.
Living Finishes
Gunmetal Distressed, Unfinished Brass, and Unfinished Brushed Brass
Living finishes are unprotected and intended to change in appearance over time, allowing each piece to evolve and develop a unique warmth and character. Living finishes are particular and require special care and attention.
Gunmetal Distressed is completed with a process of industrial waxing. Consistent cleaning and manual waxing are necessary to maintain the finish's original luster.
Over time, if not treated with wax, Gunmetal Distressed will tend to brighten on the edges and the soft texture of surfaces will slowly thin out. Wipe dry after each use and regularly apply a wax to the product. To clean, simply wipe gently with a damp cloth and blot dry with a soft towel. Harsh abrasive cleaners, acids, solvents, bleach, etc. -- along with abrasive sponges or cloths -- should never be used to clean these products. Under no circumstances use coarse cloths or any abrasive cleaners, acids, solvents, or bleach.
Unfinished Brass and Unfinished Brushed Brass finishes are unprotected raw brass, left unlacquered to allow a gradual, irreversible change towards the look of natural brass. These finishes will oxidize and vary in color based on use and the surrounding environment.
Over time brass surfaces develop a distinctive irregular patina: areas that are regularly touched will tend to lighten while less frequently used parts will gradually darken. Water drops leave dark marks on the natural patina; to avoid this, do not allow water to dry on the faucet surfaces.
To clean Unfinished Brass or Unfinished Brushed Brass, follow the instructions for Gunmetal Distressed. Occasionally revive and protect your faucet by applying, with a soft cloth, a wax suited to brass surfaces.
The durability and appearance of living finishes are strictly connected with the user’s care. The more you take care of your faucet the longer the finish will maintain its original appearance.
PVD Finishes
Polished Brass PVD, Brushed Brass PVD, Onyx PVD®, Brushed Onyx PVD®, OR’osa PVD®, Brushed OR’osa PVD®
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is an innovative surface coating process which allows for a very high level of surface hardness, as well as unparalleled resistance to atmospheric agents and house detergents.
PVD finishes are extremely solid and durable over time. The best way to keep these surfaces in their original condition is to wipe them dry with a soft cloth after each use. Scale deposits should be dissolved with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water rinsed with clean water, and blotted dry with a soft cloth. Do not soak the product in the solution. As vinegar is a mild acid, prolonged contact with the finished surfaces could damage the finish coating.
Under no circumstances use coarse cloths or cleaning agents containing bleach, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and/or phosphoric acid, or caustic agents.