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Finishes and Care
Aluminum Finishes | Bronze Finishes | Care & Maintenance
Many an Eleek piece starts its life as a raw metal casting. This casting receives special attention from our artisans to remove the slag and mold parting lines inherent to foundry castings. At this point, the metal can be finished in a variety of ways. Our favorite option for aluminum is the special Eleek process that results in the natural, soft finish we call Natural River Rock (pewter grey, subtley speckled, organic, uncommonly beautiful). Bronze castings can be left raw and exposed to develop a deep patina over time. Bronze or aluminum can be given an artist patina, a unique piece of art applied by hand and torch. Raw or patinated, aluminum or bronze, castings can be sealed in a tough powdercoat finish, either clear or in any of an infinite variety of colors. The information below will help you decide which finish best suits your taste and lifestyle, and help you keep your Eleek piece looking its best for years to come.
Finishes on Aluminum
Natural River Rock Aluminum
Eleek's natural aluminum with a soft River Rock finish is unique, organic and gorgeous just the way it is. Our finishing process gives it resistance to corrosion without adding any sort of coating.
Clearcoated Aluminum
A final powdercoat finish is required for Eleek aluminum goods that may be exposed to moisture and other conditions commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor environments. In that case, we provide a clear, low-gloss, nearly invisible powdercoat finish which is non-toxic, food-safe and does not interfere with recyclability. Clearcoating is included in the price of our aluminum sinks and tiles. If you are looking for a different color and feel, you may want to consider our optional artist patinas or colored powdercoat finishes.
Powdercoated Aluminum
Powdercoat finishes offer durability and ease of care by hermetically sealing the metal in a tough, permanent coating. We offer powdercoats in either matte (low-gloss) or flat (no gloss) finishes. You can choose from from a nearly infinite selection of stock and custom colors. For custom or stock powdercoat colors and prices, please contact Eleek or your Eleek dealer.
Artist Patinas on Aluminum
Eleek's artist patinas are applied by hand and torch by one of Eleek's talented artisans. Each piece is a unique work of handmade art; therefore, expect slight variations in color and pattern relative to any samples you may have seen. Artist patinas available on aluminum are Vintage Silver, Golden Amber, Masala Red and Antique Black. To protect the patina, an optional clear powdercoat may be applied as a final layer.
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| River Rock | Vintage Silver | Golden Amber | Masala Red | Antique Black |
| Standard | Artist patina | Artist patina | Artist patina | Artist patina |
Finishes on Bronze
Raw Bronze
Uncoated. Just soft, smooth, raw bronze. It starts out bright and will develop its own living patina over time, constantly evolving. If you like bright, new bronze and want to keep it that way, you might consider ordering it with a wax coating or, for greatest ease of care, a clear powdercoat. If you want to let the finish evolve and then it gets to a point where you like it, you can follow the waxing instructions on the next page. Most customers, however, choose to start with an artist patina, usually Oil-rubbed Bronze.
Artist Patinas on Bronze
Eleek artist patinas are applied by hand and torch by one of Eleek's talented artisans. Each piece is a unique work of handmade art; therefore, expect slight variations in color and pattern relative to any samples you may have seen. Artist patinas available on bronze include Oil-Rubbed, Golden Amber, Masala Red and Antique Black. To protect the patina, an optional clear powdercoat may be applied.
Powdercoated Bronze
Powdercoat finishes offer durability and ease of care by hermetically sealing the metal in a tough, permanent coating. They stabilize any finish that has been applied, effectively freezing them in time. We offer powdercoats in either matte (low-gloss) or flat (no gloss) finishes. Powdercoats on bronze are not included in the basic price. Check with Eleek or your Eleek dealer for pricing. If you do not specify a powdercoat, your piece will get a final wax finish.
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| Raw Bronze | Oil-Rubbed Bronze | Golden Amber | Masala Red | Antique Black |
| Artist patina | Artist patina | Artist patina |
Choosing Between an Eleek Living Bronze Finish and a Powdercoat Finish
A living finish is so called because it will evolve over time. Variables that will affect the way it changes include climate, exposure, handling, cleaning and waxing. Time may affect the color, sheen and even texture of the patina. Regular maintenance over time—including cleaning and application of clear paste wax—can control these changes to a large extent. It is fairly easy to strip and refinish these pieces if necessary. Living patinas are not covered by Eleek's limited lifetime warranty and are not appropriate for aluminum pieces that will be used in kitchens or bathrooms.
Powdercoating is a non-toxic industrial-strength finishing process that coats parts in a thin epoxy. It is non-reactive, durable, and completely food safe. While not intended as a cutting surface, powdercoated surfaces are extremely resistant to cracking or peeling and will last a very long time with proper care. Powdercoat finishes are warranted by Eleek against defects in manufacturing and materials for a period of one year and are included in the regular price of Eleek's aluminum sinks and tiles.
Care of Eleek Metal Finishes
Powdercoated finishes
If the final finish of your Eleek product is a powdercoat, you can clean it with any gentle, non-abrasive cleanser—Bon Ami or dish soap, for instance—and a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. If it's a scrubbie sponge, make sure it says it is safe for non-stick surfaces or "non-scratching." Rinse well with clean water.
Living Finishes
If the final finish of your piece is wax, you must be more careful with it. Clean with a soft cloth and a gentle, diluted liquid soap—like dish soap—as needed. You will need to replenish this living finish frequently by rewaxing it. How often you need to rewax will depend a lot on how you use it. A sink that gets a lot of use will need to be rewaxed more frequently than a little-used sink. In the beginning, you may want to start by rewaxing your sink every two to four weeks. See below for waxing instructions.
Raw Bronze Finishes
If your bronze is naked as the day it was born, you can do just about anything you want with it. It will patina naturally as you use it. If you are trying to build a natural patina, clean it using the Living Finishes instructions above. If you are trying to keep it newer looking, clean it frequently following the Powdercoated Finishes instructions above (hint: you may want to order it with a powdercoat or wax finish). If it gets to a point where you like its patina and want to preserve it, you can coat it with wax and then rewax it occasionally on a regular basis. See below for waxing instructions.
Waxing Living Finishes
Any high-quality clear paste wax will work to wax or re-wax your Eleek piece. One which is readily available at grocery stores and hardware stores is Johnson's Wood Floor Care Paste Wax. Your Eleek retailer may sell a comparable "green" product. Before waxing your Eleek sink, first clean it following the instructions above (specific to the type of finish you have) and then dry with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Apply wax with a soft cloth until it is coated inside and out, but not so thick that it is visible. Allow to air dry.
