Copper can be expensive. Copper is not as common as it once was and as a consequence has become more expensive over time. Using more than 2mm thick copper can be cripplingly expensive for many. We don't all have the funds to conduct entertaining experiments with our excess of scrap and molten copper versus coconuts and apples amongst other things.

Fear not, while you may have to settle for YouTube to realise your copper experimentation dreams, we can realise your copper design dreams with a fabulous new coat of copper at a very reasonable price.

Copper-plating looks the same. There is something mystical about the antique look of aged copper. It has old-world charm yet breathes with a timelessness it's hard to find in metals. This is mainly down to the unique way it ages and tarnishes.

When you specify copper-plating over the real thing you are never sacrificing that classic look. Copper-plating tarnishes and ages with the same authentic life that pieces made entirely from copper do. There are literally hundreds of variations of copper finishes which can all be done over copper or copper plating.

Copper-plated surfaces acts the same. Once a part is plated, it will act as if made from copper. That is, it offers the same reflective qualities, colour, aesthetics and (unless lacquered) will patina as copper does. Copper plating is not a paint mixed with minute amounts of copper particles & plastics but it IS copper which has a molecular bonding to the base metal.

Copper is a bit soft. While it looks fantastic and does not rust, the trouble with copper is that it is not particularly strong. It may be just the right conductivity and strength for wire, but it doesn't actually hold as well as other metals.

Copper welds are not as strong and it can be incredibly difficult to use. By specifying copper-plating, you can have all the looks of copper but without the unreliable softness that comes with the real thing. Use a stronger, cheaper, and more readily available metal such as stainless or mild steel as the base of your piece and we can plate it with copper.

There's not much out there. The cool thing about copper is that it can be recycled, however it isn't as readily available as it used to be. Its value is immense and it is just practical to use it sparingly. Your stunning fittings don't have to be made from copper alone. Pick a piece made from a metal more readily available and leave it to us to meet your copper design.

Supply of copper can fluctuate meaning that often the sizes, thicknesses are not available to create desired design intents. Copper plating stainless panels results in a better mirror finish and on larger formats than 1800x 900mm sheets of real copper.

We can strip your base metals (new or old) of other plating such as chrome, or paint, anodising, galvanizing, powdercoating and then plate it to have the same appearance as copper.

Copper can hide base metal "sins." Often metals can become wildly inconsistent in colour and consistency once you start welding or braising. While that may be your intended look, it is not easy to control or design. Plating those metals with copper will smooth the finish, filing small pin holes and give it a vibrant, consistent, smooth, &smp; highly reflective colour across those trouble areas.

If you have a piece that just doesn't quite meet your standards and the colours don't match, bring it in to our factory, and we can give it a coat of something clean and new.

While real copper has its cons, copper-plating has all the character and life of copper, without the disadvantages. If copper is not your thing, then spend some time perusing our range of finishes. Get in touch with Astor Metal Finishes for a quote.