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  • For quite awhile customers have asked what exactly our RSF finish is: its advantages, disadvantages and what inspired us to develop it in the first place.
  • They've also asked countless times "if it's so great, why doesn't everybody else do it?"
  • Actually, the past few years our competitors have come around to our way of thinking regarding enhanced-durability brass finishes. We've been doing it for almost 25 years. And imitation, as you know, is the sincerest form of flattery. We'll get to just how popular enhanced metal finishes have become in a bit.

What Are The Advantages Of RSF?

  • The primary appeal of our RSF finish is it keeps brass from tarnishing 20-40 times longer than traditional lacquer finishes. Typically, it has been known to last decades rather than just a few years or months.
  • In black, this finish also dramatically outperforms any other kind of black finish or paint on the market.
  • Now there are environmental variables that determine how long our RSF brass finish lasts: the primary ones being the same enemies of all metal finishes. They are humidity, altitude and the presence (or absence) of salt and pollutants in the air.

Explain The RSF Process

  • It's one we developed exclusively in 1979 through research and experimentation since such finishes were more idea than reality.
  • There are several variations of RSF, depending on the metal it's applied to. The finish is a blend of white epoxy or acrylic powders that we charge at 100,000 volts, then atomize in an enclosed "booth".
  • Visualize if you will, a cloud of white powder, charged at 100,000 volts inside this booth. Any metal that is inside the booth will permanently bond with this charged cloud.
  • The metal parts are hung on racks on a conveyer, which runs through this booth: slowly in one end and out the other. The racks are carefully grounded so when the negatively grounded parts come in contact with this highly electrified dust cloud, through electrostatic magnetization the powder permanently bonds itself to the metal.
  • The metal then moves into a 55 foot long baking oven. This bond turns to the proper color (or clear for brass) as it cures in the oven. Once this process is complete, the metal is removed, slowly cooled, inspected, then sent to the assembly department or warehouse.
  • This is an oversimplification of our unique RSF process. If you want to know more, send us an e-mail.

Is RSF Environmentally Safe?

  • When we developed this finish we were in a residential neighborhood (in Massachusetts, where environmental laws have always been very strict), operating our factory 24 hours a day. The neighbors would never put up with noxious fumes emanating from our building. It was therefore imperative that we develop a finish that was not only great, but environmentally friendly for our employees and neighbors.
  • RSF's powder coating is completely non-polluting and produces no fumes. All chemists we have shared this process with have come to identical conclusions: the powder is so safe and non-toxic that if ingested, there are no harmful affects whatsoever.

Why Not Just Powder Coat Everything?

  • Would if we could. But...
  • Certain metal parts do not lend themselves to powder coating. Accordion elements such as the brass supply lines used in hand held showers do not take to powder very well.
  • Furthermore, the rubber or plastic lining inside these supply lines might be damaged. Also, the accordion feature does not work as well as it should once powder has been applied.
  • There are other occasional examples where we've found that RSF isn't a good fit. But over the years, usually involving trial and error, we've discovered that in most cases, it works very nicely.

Why Doesn't Everyone Use This Kind Of Process?

  • Powder coating is a huge investment. Properly developing an automated process that meets all local and state codes and provides consistent coatings for different parts in different colors is very expensive.
  • Temperature and humidity must be consistent when the finish is applied and knowledgeable engineers need to run the system. The development and installation of our system cost well over $1 million back in the days when money was worth much more than it is today. In addition, it must be routinely maintained and serviced, which also costs money.
  • But as we mentioned earlier, manufacturers are slowly starting to either "powder coat" fine metal themselves or outsource such refined finish work to companies that have vast experience in this field, such as our's.
  • That's one of the reasons why some of these more "prominent" companies are now beginning to offer "RSF-type" of finishes. In fact, some of them hire us to do this work: although you'll understand why it's in our contracts that we not divulge their names.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Brass Finishes?

Raw Brass
Comes with a matte finish with discoloration from manufacturing heat and tool marks from the manufacturing process. It will not change color very much over time. But it will develop a green patina.

Polished Brass
Bright or mirror finished brass has all discoloration and machine marks removed by using various sanding, buffing and polishing processes. Polished brass will start to tarnish immediately if it's not protected. Left unprotected it will look just like raw brass within a few weeks to a few months, depending on the climate and environment.

Brushed Brass
Brushed brass (or satin, or matte) has discolorations and machine marks removed before a matte surface is applied through sanding or a combined sand/glass/plastic blasting process. This surface will darken and develop a patina just like polished brass if it too is not protected.

Lacquered Brass
A coat of wet lacquer is applied to brass to slow the tarnishing process. Depending on the climate and application, lacquer should keep brass from tarnishing for six months to several years.

RSF Finish
A proprietary powder depending on product that is applied at 100,000 volts to the brass and baked to keep the metal from tarnishing. Depending on climate and application RSF will keep brass from tarnishing for 8 years to 50 years or more. For years considered a proprietary finish of Renovators Supply. But the past few years, other firms have begun offering similar types of finish.

Is RSF For Me?

  • It depends on your personal taste, how much you enjoy polishing your brass and how valuable the time you save by not having to deal with that ongoing routine. The cost of our RSF (or other such finishes offered by our competitors) must be passed on to the customer. And though in our case, RSF is not not overly expensive, it can cost anywhere from an additional seven to ten percent. But check our competitors. You'll find their markup for such durable finishes (if they offer them) is more than ours: and not by a little.
  • Nevertheless, one thing we've noticed more of, is customers mixing and matching chrome rails with RSF brass brackets, end caps and connectors. Chrome finish is quite durable (and requires less time cleaning). When combined with RSF fixtures, you have the closest thing to a maintenance-free railing assembly there is.
  • However you use our RSF brass, in a rail system or as part of a faucet assembly in your kitchen or bathroom, you're certain to be pleased with its durability and long lasting good looks.

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