There are four basic types of faucet finish:

• Physical Vapor Deposition
• Electroplating
• Powder Coating, and
• Lacquered,

in the order of their durability.

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is almost science fiction. Load a chamber with unfinished faucets, then remove all the air and add back a carefully calculated mix of nitrogen and reactive gases. Add a chunk of the metal to be used for the coating, usually in the form of a rod. Heat that rod to a temperature so high that the rod dissolves into individual atoms. The atoms mix with the various reactive gases to get the color and finish effects you want and are then deposited in a very thin layer — 2 to 5 microns (.00008-.0002") — on the faucets.

Although very thin, it is a very hard finish, by some estimates 10-20 times more resistant to scratches than the old standard: electroplated chrome.

Electroplating or electro-chemical deposition is the old standard. This involves immersing the faucet and the metal to be used as plating in an acid bath, then applying an electrical charge to both objects so metallic ions are drawn from the plating metal to the faucet. If the faucet is left in the solution longer or electroplated several times, the plating is thicker. For thin plating, the immersion lasts just a few minutes. Thick plating takes longer, up to several hours and may be repeated several times.

It is a durable finish lasting for decades with reasonable care, but it is not as scratch- or mar-resistant as PVD.

Lacquer and Powder Coating are considered a semi-durable finishes, about the same durability as the finish on your car.The difference between the two is that powder coatings are applied dry,then baked to melt and harden. Lacquer is applied wet just like paint. Faucets can be finished in most colors of the rainbow using paint and powder coatings.

Paint and powder coatings do not bond to the underlying metal at the molecular level like the metallic finishes. They can be scratched and marred with relative ease, and require more care and maintenance than metallic finishes.

Unless you disclose when you bought the faucet and the model number, it is not possible to figure out what type of finish was used on your faucet. Safe to say it is probably not PVD, but it could be electroplated or powder coating, If a soft metal was used to electroplate the faucet, it could wear off over time.

If you bought the faucet on or after April 1, 2013 you have a lifetime warranty on the finish and Vigo should replace the faucet provided

• the finish is not a "living finish" which is intended to wear over time,

• the wear is not due to "ordinary wear and tear", and

• the wear was not caused by overzealous cleaning.

Contact Vigo customer support at 866 591 7792.

You will need your original receipt. If you don't have it, and your bought the faucet directly from Vigo, customer support can probably find it. If you bought it somewhere else you may be out of luck unless you can show that the faucet was not sold b Vigo prior to April 1, 2013.

The next time you buy a faucet, contact customer support before the purchase to find out the type of finish used on the faucet. If you want long term durability with minimal maintenance, choose a PVD finish. Many companies sell faucets in matte black PVD.

For more information about faucet finishes, see Faucet Finishes.

My DD had a black faucet that had the same Thing happen to hers. The manufacturer replaced hers. You should check with them.

@StarCraft Custom Builders that was so informative and helpful! I will figure out the finish and likely look for one with the PVD finish. Thanks!

@StarCraft Custom Builders - thank you that was so helpful! We are planning on matte black and after looking that brands we are considering do NOT have PVD in matte black but do for some of the other finishes.

I understand that Delta uses PVD for matte black. Can someone confirm?