Gold, rose gold and smoked finishes: how coloured surfaces are built on furniture metal
The warm gold of a coffee-table base, the soft rose of a bedroom set or the dark sheen of a smoked dining-table frame often decides how a piece of furniture is perceived. This guide explains how these decorative finishes are built layer by layer, how they differ and what to specify when you order them.
A coloured finish is not a single layer
The colour you see is only as good as the layers beneath it. At Serel Metal, gold, rose and smoked finishes share the same foundation:
- Surface preparation: ultrasonic degreasing, acid activation, electrolytic cleaning and neutralisation.
- Nickel base: bright nickel gives the part its shine and an even base. For gold and smoked finishes, matte nickel and acid copper layers are added underneath.
- Colour and protection layer: the final coat that gives the gold, rose or smoked tone and protects the surface; it is oven-cured.
- Hot rinse, inspection and packing.
The nickel base sets the depth and durability of the colour. On a poorly prepared part, even the best colour will peel or stain early.
How gold, rose and smoked compare
| Finish | Appearance | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Warm, bright gold tone | Coffee and dining-table bases, console frames, handles |
| Rose | Soft pink-copper tone | Bedroom sets, nightstand and dresser hardware |
| Smoked | Dark, modern, smoky tone | Minimal table bases, TV units, office furniture |
Which parts suit a coloured finish?
Steel tube, bar and sheet parts, the backbone of furniture legs, bases and frames, take coloured finishes well. The surface matters as much as the part itself: weld seams must be ground and polishing must be complete. Colour does not hide scratches or pits; it highlights them.
Keeping colour consistent across batches
Parts of the same set must match side by side, even when they are plated on different days. We keep regular bath analyses, record which bath and which day each lot went through, and compare against an approved colour sample. Sending all parts of a set in one batch, where possible, reduces the risk of shade differences further.
Durability and service life
Coloured finishes are designed for indoor furniture. Three things decide their life: the quality of the nickel base, full curing of the final coat and care in use. Abrasive cleaners and chlorine-based products wear the top coat fastest; see our care guide for plated furniture metal.
Gold, rose and smoked finishing in İnegöl
Serel Metal, a company of ERHUN in the İnegöl Organized Industrial Zone, runs every step in-house, from surface preparation to the colour layer and curing. Parts made by Erhun Metal and parts supplied by our OEM customers go through the same process discipline.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gold finish real gold?
No. Decorative gold on furniture metal is a gold-tone finish: the colour layer over the nickel base gives the tone. It does not use high-carat gold as in jewellery, which keeps the cost at furniture scale.
Does rose cost more than gold?
Price depends far more on the part’s surface area (dm²), how many parts fit on a rack and the process steps than on the colour. See how plating is priced.
Can you match an existing gold part?
Yes. Send a sample part or a photo and we will plate a sample for your approval before series production.
Have parts to finish in gold, rose or smoked?
Send your drawing or a sample and we will reply within one business day.