Key points for Selecting Faucet surface treatment

Key points for Selecting Faucet surface treatment

Thickness and durability of electroplating layer

The electroplating layer is the core for rust prevention and corrosion resistance of faucets. The thickness of the electroplated nickel-chromium layer of high-quality products is usually ≥8 microns (some high-end models reach over 12 microns). When making a purchase, you can touch the surface. A high-quality electroplating layer should be as smooth as a mirror, without a granular feel, and should not leave fingerprints or water marks after being wiped with a dry cloth. If conditions permit, you can gently scrape the corners (the merchant must promise that there is no damage). If the copper-colored base material is exposed, the electroplating layer is too thin and is prone to rust over long-term use.

Identification of spray painting and baking varnish processes

The spray-painted faucet needs to be confirmed to have strong adhesion to the paint surface. You can ask if it has passed the 100-grid test (the standard should reach level 3 or above), and observe whether the paint surface is uniform and free of flow marks. The baking varnish process, due to high-temperature curing, has better wear resistance, and the surface hardness can reach over 2H. When purchasing, you can gently scrape it with a hard object for testing (with the merchant's permission). If there are no scratches, the quality is better. It should be noted that if the base material of the spray-painted style has not undergone anti-rust treatment, the paint surface is prone to rust after peeling off.

The applicability of brushing and mirror finish treatment

Brushed treatment can hide fingerprints and scratches, making it suitable for places prone to dirt such as kitchens. When purchasing, it is necessary to check whether the texture is fine and uniform to avoid rough textures that may accumulate dirt. Mirror finish has a high degree of smoothness, but it is prone to showing water marks. It is suitable for beautiful scenes such as bathrooms. It is necessary to confirm that there are no bubbles or orange peel phenomena on the surface. If it is used outdoors or frequently, it is recommended to give priority to the wire drawing process to reduce maintenance costs.

The advantages of PVD vacuum electroplating

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) electroplating layers have high hardness (up to over 9H), are wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant, and offer a wide range of color options (such as black, gold, etc.). When making a purchase, you can ask if the PVD process is adopted and observe whether the surface shows a metallic luster (a matte finish without spray painting). It can be gently scraped with a hard object for testing. If there is no peeling or discoloration, it is genuine PVD treatment. It should be noted that if the PVD layer is too thin, it may still wear out after long-term use.

Antioxidant and acid and alkali resistance properties

The surface of the faucet should be resistant to acids and alkalis, especially for kitchen models that often come into contact with cleaning agents. When making a purchase, you can ask if it has passed the salt spray test (such as no rust after 48 hours of neutral salt spray), or gently wipe the surface with white vinegar (if there is no color change after 5 minutes, it has good acid resistance). If it is to be used by the seaside or in an industrial area, it is necessary to give priority to choosing models with thick electroplating or PVD treatment to avoid salt spray erosion.

Inspection of surface defects and process details

When making a purchase, it is necessary to carefully observe the surface. A high-quality faucet should have no defects such as bubbles, sand holes, or flow marks, and the corners should be smooth without burrs. It can be checked against the light. If particles or impurities are found, it may be that the electroplating solution is impure or the process is not precise enough. The joints (such as the handle and the body) must be sealed without any gaps to prevent water vapor from seeping in and causing internal rust.

Maintenance difficulty and long-term aesthetic appeal

The styles with thick electroplating layers are easy to clean, but it is necessary to avoid scratching them with hard objects such as steel wool balls. Spray-painted styles require regular touch-up and maintenance. Although the PVD-treated type is wear-resistant, it is difficult to clean once it gets stained with oil. When making a purchase, it is necessary to consider the usage scenarios. For example, for kitchen models, it is recommended to choose those with easy-to-clean electroplating or PVD layers. For bathroom models, both aesthetics and wear resistance can be taken into account.

Through the above points, you can purchase faucets with excellent surface treatment processes and good durability, avoiding rust, paint peeling or a decline in appearance caused by process defects. When making a purchase, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the usage environment, maintenance costs and craftsmanship quality, rather than merely judging based on appearance or weight.