Lighting Care & Maintenance
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How to Care for Your Lights
Your lights shouldn't need much maintenance, but a little care goes a long way. The most important thing to know is that different finishes need different kinds of cleaning. What works on raw brass isn't necessarily safe for chrome or powder-coated metal.
Here's what we recommend to keep your Sazerac Stitches designs looking their best.
Brass: To Polish or Not to Polish?
We use raw, unlacquered brass, which means it will naturally develop a patina over time. As brass is exposed to air, moisture, and everyday handling, it gradually darkens and develops warmer, more muted tones. This is completely normal and part of what makes raw brass so beautiful.
Some people love the aged look, while others prefer to keep their brass bright and shiny. Either is perfectly fine!
If you like the natural patina, you don't need to do much of anything. Just occasionally dust your brass with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
If you prefer a polished look, we recommend Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths. They're easy to use and work well for bringing back that bright brass finish. We also use Bar Keepers Friend on raw brass when a more thorough cleaning is needed. Keep in mind that it's a more aggressive cleaner, so we wouldn't recommend it for routine upkeep or delicate surfaces. There are other brass cleaners on the market and they may be wonderful, we just haven't tried them yet!
Whichever method you use, wear gloves. Both products have a pretty strong smell, and they're not particularly kind to your hands. Follow the product instructions, and be careful to keep cleaners away from any painted, powder-coated, or other finished parts of your fixture.
One other thing worth mentioning: because our brass is raw and unlacquered, slight scratches, variations in color, and machining marks are normal, even when the brass is brand new.
Chrome: Keep It Shiny
Chrome is a little more straightforward. For everyday cleaning, a soft microfiber cloth is usually all you need to remove dust and fingerprints.
If your chrome needs a little extra attention, we recommend Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths, followed by a gentle wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
Avoid abrasive scrubbers, harsh household cleaners, and anything that could scratch or damage the plated finish. And just like with brass, wear gloves when using polishing cloths.
Powder-Coated Metal: Less Is More
This is the big one!
Our colorful metal finishes are powder-coated, which gives them their smooth, durable finish. But durable doesn't mean indestructible, and harsh chemicals can permanently damage powder coating.
For everyday cleaning, all you need is a soft microfiber cloth and a little water. Lightly dampen the cloth, gently wipe away any dust or marks, and dry the surface with a clean cloth.
That's it. Seriously.
Please don't use household cleaning sprays, degreasers, solvents, metal polishes, or abrasive cleaning products on powder-coated surfaces. Over time, exposure to harsh chemicals can break down the finish, causing discoloration, peeling, flaking, or other permanent damage.
We've seen what happens when the wrong cleaning products are used, and unfortunately, once the coating has been damaged, wiping or polishing won't bring it back.
Here are examples of the effect harsh chemicals can have on your powdercoated surfaces:
Stick with water and a microfiber cloth. Your lights will thank you.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Always turn off your lights and let them cool before cleaning. Apply any cleaner to your cloth rather than spraying directly onto the fixture, and keep liquids away from sockets, wiring, and other electrical components.
Be especially careful when cleaning fixtures that combine different materials. A brass polishing product might be perfectly fine for an exposed brass component, but it shouldn't come into contact with the powder-coated shade right next to it. Quickly clean any chemicals that accidentally make contact with your powdercoated surfaces.
And if you're ever unsure about how to clean something, please ask us first! We'd much rather help you figure out the safest approach than have you accidentally damage a finish.