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High-traffic commercial restroom with durable FontanaShowers finishes

Heavy-Use Finish Resistance in High-Traffic Restrooms

FontanaShowers® commercial touchless faucets are engineered with hardened finishes and vandal-resistant designs validated against ASTM standards—ensuring durability, hygiene, and aesthetic quality in airports, hospitals, stadiums, and Class-A offices.

Explore Technologies Applications Watch Testing

Finish Technologies: What Holds Up and Why

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition)

Microhardness ~1,600–2,500 HV, 0.2–0.8 μm thick. Excellent abrasion and chemical stability against quats, alcohols, peroxides. Best for matte black, brushed gold, graphite, titanium.

Applications: Healthcare · Airports · Offices

Duplex Chrome

Traditional gloss finish with broad disinfectant tolerance and graffiti resistance. Shiny surface disguises micro-abrasions. Neutral pH cleaners recommended.

Applications: Transit · Retail · Stadiums

316 Stainless Steel

Outperforms chrome in chloride-heavy or coastal zones. Resistant to pitting, can be PVD-tinted without losing corrosion resistance.

Applications: Coastal Airports · Marine · Chemical Zones

Polymer & Powder-Coats

Impact- and graffiti-resistant coatings mask scratches. Good chemical tolerance when intact; vulnerable to chipping.

Applications: Stadiums · Schools · Prisons

Chemical Resistance Snapshot

Chemical / Cleaner PVD Finishes Duplex Chrome 316 Stainless Steel
Quaternary Ammonium (500–1000 ppm) Excellent Excellent Excellent
70% Isopropyl Alcohol Excellent Excellent Excellent
Hydrogen Peroxide (3–7%) Excellent Excellent Excellent
Sodium Hypochlorite (≤0.5% bleach) Good* Good–Excellent* Excellent*
Acidic Descalers (citric, phosphoric) Good Good Good
Abrasive Powder Cleaners Not Recommended Not Recommended Not Recommended
Quaternary Ammonium
PVD: Excellent | Duplex Chrome: Excellent | Stainless: Excellent
Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)
PVD: Excellent | Duplex Chrome: Excellent | Stainless: Excellent
Hydrogen Peroxide (3–7%)
PVD: Excellent | Duplex Chrome: Excellent | Stainless: Excellent
Sodium Hypochlorite (≤0.5%)
PVD: Good* | Duplex Chrome: Good–Excellent* | Stainless: Excellent*
Acidic Descalers
PVD: Good | Duplex Chrome: Good | Stainless: Good
Abrasive Powder Cleaners
Not Recommended across all finishes

* Rinse surfaces with clean water after bleach contact. Avoid daily use unless required by infection-control protocols.

Testing & Validation Showcase

ASTM Finish Durability Tests

Validation protocols including ASTM B117 salt spray and ASTM D4060 abrasion cycles for finish endurance.

Quick Spec Guidance

Airports & Transit

PVD finishes for abrasion, stainless steel for chloride resistance, tamper-proof mounts for vandal-heavy areas.

Healthcare

PVD and stainless finishes withstand disinfectants (quats, peroxides, alcohols) and maintain hygiene compliance.

Stadiums & Offices

Powder coats mask graffiti in stadiums; brushed gold/graphite PVD provide premium looks for corporate spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which finishes are most durable for high-traffic restrooms?

PVD coatings and 316 stainless steel offer the best resistance to scratches, chemicals, and corrosion. Duplex chrome remains a classic baseline.

How should bleach be used on finishes?

Bleach (≤0.5%) is tolerated by all finishes but should be rinsed off to avoid dulling or surface changes over time.

What prevents vandal damage to finishes?

Tamper-proof hardware (anti-rotation mounts, pin-Torx screws) and powder-coat layers mask scratches and resist impact.

Request ASTM Test Reports

Access finish validation data, chemical resistance charts, and maintenance guidelines for FontanaShowers® commercial fixtures.

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