Baths of Distinction: Artisanal Exterior Finish Options
Baths of Distinction offers an expansive range of
hand-applied exterior finishes. A vital feature of our specialty applications
is the final coating—whether it be high-performance lacquer or natural
beeswax—that
protects the surface, ensuring longevity and ease of
maintenance.
1. Aged Chrome (Dual-Option Finish)
This finish utilizes a coating containing approximately
40%
nickel particles
for an authentic metallic appearance and feel.
-
Original
Version:
Features a cloudy, dreamlike finish that displays what
appears to be natural wear on the surface. It is coated with a high-gloss
lacquer to accentuate the beauty of the coating.
-
Dense
Version:
A more uniform chrome version that shows very little
sign of wear and only a slight cloud-like effect. This is achieved by
adding two additional layers of the nickel-inclusive application.
-
Note:
The application process is the same for both. Customers can request free
samples
to assist in their final decision.
2. The Leaf Collection (The "Umber Wash"
Series)
This premium finish involves hand-applied metal leaf,
refined with a delicate wash.
-
The
Technique:
The umber wash is applied very sparingly.
-
The
Aesthetic:
Instead of a heavy antiqued look, it softens and mutes
the original leaf
, removing the harshness of the raw metal.
-
The
Vibe:
This results in a peaceful, serene finish that is both
elegant and understated.
-
Options:
Available in Egyptian Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf, and Copper Leaf.
For our solid copper bathtub line, we offer four distinct
stages of patina. Photos of these specific finishes can be viewed on our
website.
-
Mirror
Polished:
A brilliant, high-shine reflective surface. Note:
This is a living finish that will naturally develop a patina over
time if not polished.
-
Lightly
Aged & Dark Aged (Beeswax Finish):
These finishes offer a stunning,
deep luster
that celebrates the natural warmth of real copper. The Lightly
Aged
option provides a soft, honeyed glow, while the Dark Aged
offers a sophisticated, historic richness. Both possess a smooth,
hand-rubbed texture that feels as luxurious as it looks.
- These
are treated with an application of
natural beeswax. While they
will eventually patina further, the beeswax ensures they do so
extremely
slowly
, preserving the chosen tone for much longer.
-
Verdigris
Aged:
A striking, authentic green-patina finish. We finish these
exteriors with a
matte lacquer to seal the patina and prevent
further patination
, locking in the aesthetic.
4. Matte Stone Look
This specialty finish provides the architectural aesthetic
of a solid surface material.
-
The
Finish:
A unique application that is finish-coated with a specialized
matte lacquer
.
-
The
Look:
It mimics the appearance of solid surface Corian,
offering a smooth, non-reflective, and contemporary feel.
-
The
Visual Contrast:
There is a fabulous contrast between the soft,
muted matte stone exterior and the high-gloss deck and interior of the
tub. This interplay of textures creates a stunning, high-end visual
appeal.
-
Color
Versatility:
While most popular in white, the Matte Stone finish is
available in
any choice of color a customer desires.
This category offers maximum flexibility for custom design
using high-performance
automobile grade coatings.
-
Dark
Aged Applied Finishes:
We offer specialized Dark Aged Copper
and Dark Aged Brass applied finishes for a rich, deep metallic
look.
-
Straight
Copper Leaf:
A brilliant finish featuring hand-applied copper leaf
with
no wear. It is finished with a high-gloss lacquer for both
protection and a striking appearance.
-
Custom
Color Matching:
Using automobile grade coatings, any tub can be
finished in a specific color from major paint brands (e.g.,
Sherwin-Williams) for a durable, showroom-quality result.
-
Samples:
Free samples for these finishes are available upon request.
Regular Surfaces
Our Hotel Collection tubs are supplied standard with a high gloss acrylic exterior and interior surface. The interior is further polished to produce a finish that looks almost identical a traditional enameled interior...without the inherent problems of enamel.
If scratched, the acrylic surface can be easily repaired. Simply by wet sanding with 1500 or 2000 grit sandpaper and buffing with an acrylic surface polish, scratches can be quickly made to disappear. Finish off with car wax and a very soft cloth.
Painted Surfaces
The painted finish on the exterior of our tubs is the same procedure used in automobiles. We prepare with two coats of epoxy primer, heat and dry. We then sand down the primer and apply two coats of automobile paint with clear coat. Again, this is heat dried for extra hardness. We offer finishes in high gloss, satin and matt. However, on matt finishes, hand prints etc. show up easier. Since many clients prefer the more authentic cast iron painted look, we also offer a rougher more mottled finish to resemble an actual cast iron tub painted exterior
Surface scratches can be easily repaired by using car wax or rubbing compound for more stubborn scratches or scrapes. However, the very resiliant coating applied is not easy to mark or scratch.
While interior tub painting is possible, we don't recommend this. Apart from being a complete departure from tradition where old cast iron tub exteriors would have been painted or polished, constant use will eventually cause interior paint to wear.
Metal Coated Exteriors
We offer various 'metal spray' coatings for the exterior of our tubs in Aged Chrome. We also offer a distressed chrome look to mirror the finish of a traditional polished cast iron exterior.
The application of these finishes takes several days and buyers can expect to add a week to their delivery time. To protect the surface over the years each tub is finished with a high quality clear coat to produce a durable and authentic metal appearance.
AGED CHROME
On aged chrome, we first use two coats of epoxy primer. The primer coats are UV dried and wet sanded to offer a smooth finish for the special high gloss black base coat. We then apply two coats of the high gloss black base coat and again UV dry. After UV and 24 hours air drying, we polish the base coat until it is a very bright deep black finish. We then mist spray the special chrome paint, often applying up to three coats. After again allowing to dry for 24 hours, we lightly polish the chrome to offer a more worn appearance than just a standard finish to give a true authentic look. At this time, we will often add some scoring to the chrome for authenticity as we want it to look like a traditional cast iron exterior. We then clear coat with a very high quality clear coat, using three coats to complete. After a further 48-72 hours air drying, the tub receives a final polish to be made ready for shipping.
AGED CHROME
On aged chrome, we first use two coats of epoxy primer. The primer coats are UV dried and wet sanded to offer a smooth finish for the special high gloss black base coat. We then apply two coats of the high gloss black base coat and again UV dry. After UV and 24 hours air drying, we polish the base coat until it is a very bright deep black finish. We then mist spray the special chrome paint, often applying up to three coats. After again allowing to dry for 24 hours, we lightly polish the chrome to offer a more worn appearance than just a standard finish to give a true authentic look. At this time, we will often add some scoring to the chrome for authenticity as we want it to look like a traditional cast iron exterior. We then clear coat with a very high quality clear coat, using three coats to complete. After a further 48-72 hours air drying, the tub receives a final polish to be made ready for shipping.