Bathroom advice

PVD finishes on taps: what they are and why they last longer than conventional chrome

When you buy a tap in matt black, brushed gold or rose gold, what you are buying—in addition to the design—is the process that has put that colour on the brass. Not all "coloured" finishes are created equal, and the difference between one that remains intact after years of use and another that begins to lose tone in a few months is almost always in how that layer has been deposited. PVD (physical vapour deposition) is today the reference process to achieve long-lasting colour finishes on taps, and at NOLUXA you will find it in several of our bathroom, shower, bathtub and kitchen lines. In our article on brass, PVD and ceramic cartridge we already saw, broadly speaking, how PVD differs from chrome plating and lacquer when choosing taps. Here we go deeper: what physically happens inside the vacuum chamber, why that layer is so hard, how to recognize a well-executed PVD and how to care for it so that it lasts as long as it promises. Quick answer PVD is a vacuum process that vaporises metal and deposits it atom by atom on the piece, creating an extremely thin but very hard layer that adheres very well to the base brass. Unlike galvanic chrome plating (which uses an electrochemical bath) or lacquering (which applies a layer of protective lacquer over another finish), PVD forms almost a surface alloy with the piece, which explains its resistance to scratches and its ability to achieve stable colours such as black, gold, rose gold or brushed nickel. In this article What is PVD and how does the process work? PVD versus electroplated chrome and painted finishes Why PVD resists scratches better Colours particularly suited to PVD Distinguishing good-quality PVD from poor-quality PVD Maintenance and production costs What is PVD and how does the process work? PVD stands for "Physical Vapor Deposition". It is a family of industrial processes that has been used for decades in very different sectors - cutting tools, watchmaking, optics, automotive components - and that at taps has become the standard for colour finishes that are not the usual shiny chrome. The process, explained without unnecessary technicalities, works like this: the polished brass piece is introduced, along with a metal source (the "target"), into a closed chamber from which practically all the air is extracted until a vacuum is generated. Inside that chamber, the source metal is vaporized—converted to a metal vapour at the atomic or molecular level, typically by ion bombardment or electric arc, depending on the PVD variant used. This metal vapour travels through the vacuum chamber and condenses on the surface of the piece, layer by layer, practically atom by atom. The result is an extraordinarily thin layer—on the order of microns—but with an important peculiarity: since it is formed in a vacuum and at an almost molecular level, this layer does not remain "stuck on top" of the brass like a paint, but rather integrates with the surface, forming a much more intimate bond than that of a conventional coating. It is the closest thing to saying that the colour becomes part of the piece, instead of being a layer added on top of it. PVD versus electroplated chrome and painted finishes To understand why PVD behaves so differently, it is worth comparing it, process by process, with the other two common ways of finishing a piece of taps: galvanic chrome plating and lacquering. Galvanic chrome plating is an electrochemical process: the piece is immersed in a bath with metal salts and, using electric current, metal ions are deposited on its surface. It is the classic process for bright chrome finishing, it works well and is more economical, but it is limited in practice to silver tones and does not offer the same surface hardness as PVD. Lacquering, for its part, is not a metallization process: it consists of applying a layer of protective lacquer or paint, transparent or coloured, on an existing finish (often on chrome or on the brass itself). It is the most economical option of the three, but also the most superficial: the lacquer is an added layer, not a fusion with the metal, and therefore it is the most sensitive to friction, aggressive cleaning products and the passage of time. Process How to apply Surface hardness Relative cost Finishes that allow PVD Metal vaporization in vacuum chamber, quasi-molecular deposition High High matt black, Black Gun Metal, brushed nickel, brushed gold, rose gold Galvanic chrome plating Electrochemical bath, deposition by electric current Average Half Practically only shiny chrome silver Lacquered Protective lacquer/paint layer applied over another finish Low Low Wide range of colours and transparencies, sensitive to wear Indicative comparison by type of process, not linked to a specific laboratory test. Why PVD resists scratches better The reason why a PVD finish holds up better to daily use—keys rubbing against the tap, sponges, cleaning products, rings or bracelets rubbing—is not magic, it is the physics of the process itself. When formed in a vacuum and by condensation of metal vapour, the PVD layer is structured with a density and adhesion much greater than those achieved by an electrochemical bath or a lacquer layer applied by spraying. That higher density translates directly into higher surface hardness: the coating is harder to scratch because, unlike a paint, there is no "weak" interface between the coating and the base metal on which a scratch can slide or lift. This does not mean that a PVD finish is indestructible – no finish is indestructible against a metal scouring pad or a really abrasive object – but it does mean that its margin of tolerance against normal use in a bathroom or kitchen is notably greater than that of a lacquer, and also higher than that of conventional chrome plating on intensively used parts. SCRATCH RESISTANCE BY TYPE OF PROCESS (relative indicative scale) PVD High Galvanic chrome plating Average Lacquered Low Orientative qualitative scale to compare processes with each other; It does not correspond to a laboratory test or a normalized hardness figure. Colours particularly suited to PVD Another reason why PVD has prevailed in designer taps is that it is, by far, the process that best maintains colour finishes over time. By varying the metal or compound that vaporises inside the chamber—and adjusting process parameters such as time or the atmosphere of the chamber—very different shades are achieved, always starting from the same brass base, something that is not possible with conventional chrome plating: chrome plating practically always gives the same bright silver tone. In the NOLUXA catalogue you will find real PVD, not lacquered that imitate a colour, in the following finishes: matt black , Black Gun Metal , brushed nickel , brushed gold , brushed rose gold and Shiny Rose Gold . They are not exclusive to basin taps: you will also find them in shower columns and taps, in bathtub kits, in shower enclosure profiles, in mirrors with metal frames, in bathroom accessories (towel rails, toilet roll holder, shower handles) and even in kitchen taps, which allows you to maintain the same coherent finish throughout the space if you prefer. The stability of the colour is, again, a direct consequence of the process: since it is not a layer of paint but a metallic deposition integrated with the surface, the tone does not discolour due to the effect of light or "peel" when rubbed in the way that a coloured lacquer can. Distinguishing good-quality PVD from poor-quality PVD Not everything sold as "PVD" has the same level of quality control, so it's a good idea to know what to look for before you buy: Colour uniformity: in a well-executed PVD, the tone remains identical throughout the piece and also between different pieces of the same series (for example, between the basin tap and the shower accessory in the same bathroom). Visible shade differences between parts from the same order often indicate poor process control. Well-covered critical areas: check threads, edges and joint areas between pieces: this is where you will first notice if the coating is irregular or if the base brass is showing through. Homogeneous touch and appearance: a good matt PVD feels uniform to the touch, without rougher or brighter areas that reveal an irregular thickness. Manufacturer traceability: ask if the finish is real PVD or a coloured lacquer that imitates a metallic tone; A serious distributor like NOLUXA can confirm it with the manufacturer's sheet. As an official distributor of IMEX and GME, at NOLUXA we work only with manufacturer PVD, with the production line quality control that this implies, and not with "PVD style" finishes achieved by other, more economical means. Maintenance and production costs Maintenance and care A PVD finish does not need complicated special care, but it does need some common sense. Simply clean it with warm water, neutral soap and a soft cloth, and dry it afterwards to avoid limescale marks or water droplets. It is preferable to avoid abrasive pads, steel wool or aggressive acid-based cleaning products: although PVD is hard, continued use of inappropriate products can wear down the finish over time, just as it would with any other material. If you have questions about how to remove limescale without damaging the finish, we have a specific guide on how to remove limescale from taps without damaging the finish . Important Do not use anti-limescale products with strong acids or abrasive pads on PVD finishes. In addition to damaging the finish over time, improper use of products not recommended by the manufacturer may be outside of warranty coverage. Always consult the maintenance instructions from IMEX or GME depending on the series of your product. Why PVD costs more to produce That taps with a PVD finish have a higher price than standard chrome is not a marketing issue: it responds to an objectively more demanding manufacturing process. Vacuum deposition requires specific industrial equipment – ​​vacuum chambers, vaporization systems and atmosphere control – which represent a much larger investment than a conventional galvanic bath. The process is also usually worked in controlled batches within the chamber, with longer cycle times than a continuous electrochemical bath, and requires stricter quality control to guarantee colour uniformity piece by piece. All of this translates into a higher production cost which, in return, is paid for in durability: it is the difference between a finish designed to last the entire useful life of the tap and one designed, simply, to be cheaper. Quick tab What it is: physical vapour deposition, vacuum chamber metallization process. Key difference from chrome plating: chrome plating is an electrochemical bath; PVD is vaporization and condensation in vacuum. Key difference from lacquer: Lacquer is a layer added over another finish; The PVD integrates with the metal surface. Main advantage: greater surface hardness and better scratch resistance against daily use. Catalogue PVD finishes: matt black, Black Gun Metal, brushed nickel, brushed gold, brushed rose gold, Shiny Rose Gold. Maintenance: water, neutral soap and soft cloth; Avoid strong acids and abrasive scouring pads. Cost: higher than standard chrome plating, justified by the equipment and manufacturing process. How we created this guide This article describes the PVD process based on general technical manufacturing knowledge (physical vapour deposition), maintenance sheets and instructions from our manufacturers IMEX and GME, and NOLUXA's customer service experience with products in these finishes. Strength and hardness figures are always presented as indicative scales, not as results of our own laboratory tests. Discover NOLUXA PVD finishes matt black, Black Gun Metal, nickel and brushed gold, rose gold: available in taps, shower, bathtub, kitchen, shower enclosures, mirrors and accessories. See the entire catalogue in PVD finishes Sources and references Manufacturer's maintenance instructions (IMEX, GME). bathroom taps: brass, PVD and ceramic cartridge, what to look for before buying — general comparison of finishes at NOLUXA. How to remove limescale from taps without ruining the finish . NOLUXA Return Policy .