Brass base material
Brass is a wrought copper alloy and consists of copper and zinc. We use brass with a zinc content of approx. 37%. (today: CuZn37, formerly: Ms63) This gives it its yellowish-golden colour.
The surface can be polished, matt-finished or burnished. Tarnish protection is guaranteed for 1-2 years with Zapon lacquer.
We are supplied with brass plates, brass tubes and solid brass as the base material. We then process this from the first saw cut to the finished luminaire, everything in our manufactory in one house.
Zapon lacquer
The zapon lacquer consists mainly of collodion wool, which is a natural cellulose nitrate.
Our zapon varnish is colourless and is used exclusively for oxidation protection (tarnish protection).
The collodion wool decomposes over time and the polished or matt surface darkens evenly.
Under no circumstances should the Zapon lacquer be rubbed off! This will damage the structure of the lacquer and the surface becomes cloudy and blotchy.
The acidity of hand perspiration or hand creams can cause the lacquer to darken
may tarnish dark to black in the areas touched.
Zapon lacquer is the only lacquer that forms a clean bond with brass, copper and chrome.
Cleaning surfaces and properties
The surface is highly polished and untreated. Over time, a brownish patina develops, which can be polished up again with standard metal polish. We recommend using a soft cotton cloth for polishing. Please do not use microfibre as this will cause scratches.
The surface is highly polished and lacquered with Zapon lacquer. The Zapon lacquer can only be dusted off.
If a stain caused by midges or similar needs to be removed, rub carefully and lightly with a slightly moistened cotton cloth only on this spot. The Zapon lacquer can be rubbed through if too much pressure is applied. On request, we can also seal the lights with 2K lacquer for an additional charge.
(see below: 2K lacquering)
The surface is matt brushed and lacquered with Zapon lacquer. The Zapon lacquer can only be dusted off.
If a stain caused by midges or similar needs to be removed, rub carefully and lightly with a slightly moistened cotton cloth only on this spot. The Zapon lacquer can be rubbed through if too much pressure is applied. On request, we can also seal the lights with 2K lacquer for an additional charge.
(see below: 2K lacquering)
The surface is highly polished and galvanically nickel-plated. After chrome, nickel is the hardest naturally occurring metal. Nickel is not tarnish-resistant and forms an oxide layer over time.
The colour is yellow-silver, similar to Sterling silver, a soft silver shade. This can be polished up again with standard polish for brass/chrome. On request, we can also protect the nickel-plated surface with zapon lacquer against tarnishing.
The surface is highly polished and galvanically nickel-plated. After nickel plating, the surface is matt brushed in a further work step. Nickel is not tarnish-resistant and forms an oxide layer over time. The surface structure can only be cleaned with glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth. Polishing is not recommended, otherwise shiny spots may appear. On request and for an additional charge, we can also protect the surface with zapon varnish against tarnishing.
The surface is highly polished and galvanically nickel-plated, then chrome-plated. The appearance is blue-silver. A very insensitive surface that does not tarnish or oxidise. It can easily be cleaned with wahshing-up liquid. A normal polish for brass/chrome can also be used.
Please only use a normal cotton cloth.
The surface is highly polished and then copper-plated. The surface is varnished with Zapon lacquer to protect against tarnishing. The Zapon lacquer can only be dusted off.
If a stain caused by midges or similar needs to be removed, rub carefully and lightly with a slightly moistened cotton cloth only on this spot. The Zapon lacquer can be rubbed through if too much pressure is applied. On request, we can also seal the lights with 2K lacquer for an additional charge.
(see below: 2K lacquering)
The surface is highly polished and then copper-plated. In a further work step, the surface is matt brushed. The surface is coated with Zapon lacquer to protect against tarnishing. The Zapon lacquer can only be dusted off.
If a stain caused by midges or similar needs to be removed, rub carefully and lightly with a slightly moistened cotton cloth only on this spot. The Zapon lacquer can be rubbed through if too much pressure is applied. On request, we can also seal the lights with 2K lacquer for an additional charge.
(see below: 2K lacquering)
The surface is matt brushed and then burnished. Burnishing brass is a traditional process.
The brass is first heavily pre-rubbed with pumice powder (ground lava stone), rinsed with water and coloured with an alternating bath of lye and acid. The actual ‘tan’ sits under the tarnish layer and is rubbed out again, then cleaned and painted with Zapon lacquer. The surface darkens over time.
Joints with silver solder are visible as the silver does not take on any colour. The Zapon lacquer can only be dusted off. If a stain caused by midges or similar needs to be removed, rub carefully and lightly with a slightly moistened cotton cloth only on this spot.
The Zapon lacquer can be rubbed through if too much pressure is applied. On request, we can also seal the lights with 2K lacquer for an additional charge.
(see below: 2K lacquering)
The surface is matt brushed and then burnished. Burnishing brass is a traditional process.
The brass is first heavily pre-rubbed with pumice powder (ground lava stone), rinsed with water and coloured with an alternating bath of lye and acid. The actual ‘tan’ sits under the tarnish layer and is rubbed out again. The process is repeated again to achieve a darker surface. Everything is then cleaned and painted with Zapon lacquer. The surface darkens over time.
Soldered joints with silver solder are visible as the silver does not take on any colour.
With the darker colouring, the silver solder joints are more visible than with normal burnishing.
Blackening. The Zapon lacquer can only be dusted off. If a stain caused by midges or similar needs to be removed, rub carefully and lightly with a slightly moistened cotton cloth only on this spot.
The Zapon lacquer can be rubbed through if too much pressure is applied. On request, we can also seal the lights with 2K lacquer for an additional charge.
(see below: 2K lacquering)
On request, we can paint all luminaires according to the RAL colour chart. Glossy or matt colours can be selected according to the living situation. Whether RAL 6009 fir green or RAL 3015 light pink in matt or glossy does not matter to us.
The surfaces are treated with a 2K lacquer. This makes them very robust and resistant to external influences. The prices are listed separately for each model.
A 2-component lacquer consists of lacquer and hardener (automotive lacquer). The robust and resistant surface also seals the brass from long-term tarnishing. Adhesion to polished brass, copper or nickel is not possible without precise pre-treatment. Even skilled painters have problems with this. We have developed a solution and can now offer this. The prices are the same as the RAL prices.
Surfaces can be painted glossy or matt.
Light scratches can be easily removed with a polish and a cotton cloth.