Zinc Care and Maintenance
What Can I Expect From my Zinc Countertop?
Zinc is a reactive metal that starts with a distinctive blue-gray hue and will develop a hazy-gray patina over time. This patina will continue to evolve throughout the lifetime of the product. Our countertops do not have a coating. They are actual metal.
Imperfections, including slight scratches, pinholes, and soldering marks can be expected on your zinc countertop. They help create the country charm of this rustic metal. Hammered and textured zinc products will have a wavy, undulated surface and will not be machined flat.
Zinc Care and Maintenance will Depend on Which Finish You Choose
For All Zinc Finishes:
Windex or mild soap and water are recommended for daily cleaning. Wipe up all liquids with paper towels.
Matte Zinc Finish:
Day-to-Day Cleaning:
- Light scratches and mineral streaking can be brushed out using a household 3M Scotch-Brite pad.
- Many owners choose to let a patina develop on zinc. This enhances the "industrial" or "country" flavor of the countertop.
In-Depth Maintenance
- Deep scratches may be sanded out using sandpaper grades going from 150 to 220 and buffed with a 3M Scotch-Brite pad. Brush the countertop in a circular pattern to recreate its original finish.
- For white marks or rings, scrub the countertop lightly with diluted vinegar using a 3M Scotch-Brite pad and rinse with water.
- DO NOT USE BLEACH - Bleach reacts very strong with zinc and will leave marks.
Mirror-Polished Zinc:
Day-to-Day Cleaning:
- Mirror-Polished zinc may be treated with a standard metal polish like Noxon.
In-Depth Maintenance:
- To renew the finish of mirror-polished zinc, use an automotive compound with a machine-polishing pad.
Patina Finish Zinc:
Day-to-Day Cleaning:
- This finish requires special care. The patina is a very thin coating that can be easily removed. Windex or soap and water are great for day to day cleanings.
- Protect your zinc countertops by using trivets for hot plates, use cutting boards for chopping.
- Wipe up any liquids or spills promptly to prevent spotting and glass rings.
In-Depth Maintenance:
- Patina finishes have NO protective coatings. Sanding or buffing will remove scratches, but will also remove the patina. The patina will return but in a different pattern.
- Zinc's distinctive patina will develop over time. It may take up to a year to acquire the full look.
- Acidic items, like lemon juice, will remove the patina. Zinc's living finish will change with wear, tear, and time. This creates a unique pattern of use that cannot be intentionally recreated.
- The finish itself is not under warranty after installation. Brooks Custom does not guarantee its patina finish zinc to match any other manufacturer's patina finish zinc.
Warranty for Zinc Countertops:
- All Brooks Custom products come with a Full One Year Warranty.
- Brooks Custom will repair or replace, at their option, any product determined to be faulty due to manufacturing defects.
- Products not installed by Brooks Custom must be returned to the Brooks Custom showroom.
- Incidental work or adjacent materials are not included in warranty coverage. This is standard in most of the home improvement industry.