--- title: Advantages of Our Proprietary Alternative Oxidized Coating Over Chemically Oxidized Metal  description: At Gemini, we can chemically oxidize red metal letters, logos, and plaques to age a metal’s appearance, but what if there was a way to create the look of oxidized metal without using chemicals? We are --- [Skip to content](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/advantages-of-our-proprietary-alternative-coating#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![Gemini Incorporated](https://hub.geminimade.com/hubfs/gemini-logo-horizontal-1.svg) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations Try the "Ask me anything" icon at the bottom right to use our AI search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Gemini Product Guide](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Metal Letters and Logos](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/metal-letters-and-logos?hsLang=en) September 24, 2026 # Advantages of Our Proprietary Alternative Oxidized Coating Over Chemically Oxidized Metal At Gemini, we can chemically oxidize red metal letters, logos, and plaques to age a metal’s appearance, but what if there was a way to create the look of oxidized metal without using chemicals? We are offering an alternative to traditional oxidization methods that does not require chemicals at a reduced cost compared to chemical oxidization. ### What is metal oxidization? Metal oxidization is a reaction of a metal surface and oxygen over time. With chemicals, we speed up the process. We take red metal letters, logos, and plaques and use harsh chemicals to change the metal’s appearance from its natural state to a more aged look. | ![CastBronze\_Euless](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/CastBronze_Euless.jpg?width=350&height=234&name=CastBronze_Euless.jpg) | Oxidized cast bronze letters "Euless" over a flat cut bronze Texas logo. | | --- | --- | This traditional process involves submerging red metal letters, logos, or plaques in a chemical bath for a set amount of time. Our red metal alloys can be oxidized in three levels - light, standard, and dark. The longer the letters sit in the chemical bath, the darker the oxidization. After letters, logos, and plaques sit in the chemical bath until they reach the desired oxidization, they are cleaned, dried, and clear-coated with a low-gloss clear coat to seal the finish. **Note:** Metal returns will have a black appearance due to the chemical bath. **Chemical Oxidization Levels** | | **Light Oxidized** | **Standard Oxidized** | **Dark Oxidized** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Brass** | ![Light Oxidized](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Brass%20Finishes/Light%20Oxidized.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=Light%20Oxidized.jpg) | ![Oxidized](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Brass%20Finishes/Oxidized.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=Oxidized.jpg) | ![Dark Oxidized](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Brass%20Finishes/Dark%20Oxidized.jpg?width=100&height=101&name=Dark%20Oxidized.jpg) | | **Bronze** | ![bronze light ox](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/bronze%20light%20ox.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=bronze%20light%20ox.jpg) | ![bronze ox](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/bronze%20ox.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=bronze%20ox.jpg) | ![bronze dark ox](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/bronze%20dark%20ox.jpg?width=100&height=101&name=bronze%20dark%20ox.jpg) | There are some limitations with this traditional method, which include, - **Material size.** We can chemically oxidize letters, logos, and cast plaques up to 29 inches by 29 inches and precision tooled or etched plaques up to 18 inches by 24 inches. Any letter or plaque over these sizes cannot be chemically oxidized due to our chemical bath size capabilities. - **Material control.** We chemically oxidize letters, logos, and plaques individually, which may cause the oxidized metal to vary in appearance from letter to letter and order to order. **Note:** Chemical oxidization is an additional 15% on the base price. **Note:** Copper is only available in our alternative oxidized coating. ### What is an alternative to chemical oxidization? To create the look of oxidized metals without using chemicals, we can employ a proprietary alternative coating on letters, logos, and plaques. The process starts by painting the returns and backs of the letters black, then stroke-sand the face before applying an alternative oxidized coating. We apply several coats to achieve the desired oxidization (light, standard, or dark). Then, we spray a final clear coat to seal the letter or logo. | ![Brass Oxidized Dark](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/Brass%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg?width=350&height=235&name=Brass%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg) | Brass logo in dark. Chemically oxidized triangle on top, our alternative coating on the bottom piece. | | --- | --- | | ![Copper Oxidized Standard](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copper%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg?width=350&height=235&name=Copper%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg) | Copper logo in our alternative coating, standard. | | ![Bronze Oxidized Standard](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/Bronze%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg?width=350&height=235&name=Bronze%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg) | Bronze logo in standard. Chemically oxidized triangle on top, our alternative coating on the bottom piece. | Our proprietary alternative coating allows for greater material control and consistency from letter to letter with no upcharge cost. This method has no size restriction because if we can cut or mold the letter, we can use this method to achieve the oxidized look. This method is also more environmentally friendly as we do not have to discard harsh chemicals. **Note:** In the table below, our alternative oxidized coating is applied on the bottom piece of the logo, excluding copper. The upper triangle is chemically oxidized.   **Comparison Table** | | **Light** | **Standard** | **Dark** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Brass** | ![Brass Oxidized Light](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Brass%20Oxidized%20Light.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Brass%20Oxidized%20Light.jpg) | ![Brass Oxidized Standard](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Brass%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Brass%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg) | ![Brass Oxidized Dark](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Brass%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Brass%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg) | | **Bronze** | ![Bronze Oxidized Light](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bronze%20Oxidized%20Light.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Bronze%20Oxidized%20Light.jpg) | ![Bronze Oxidized Standard](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bronze%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Bronze%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg) | ![Brass Oxidized Dark](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/Brass%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Brass%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg) | | **Copper** *Only available in our alternative oxidized coating* | ![Copper Oxidized Light](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini%20Guide%20Images/Bronze%20Finishes/Copper%20Oxidized%20Light.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Copper%20Oxidized%20Light.jpg) | ![Copper Oxidized Standard](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copper%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Copper%20Oxidized%20Standard.jpg) | ![Copper Oxidized Dark](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copper%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg?width=200&height=134&name=Copper%20Oxidized%20Dark.jpg) | **Note:** Copper is not available for plaques. Refer to individual product articles to learn more about available metal materials. If you have existing chemically oxidized signage, we can closely match the letters with this new, alternative method; however, it will appear slightly different than chemically oxidized letters compared side-by-side.  Compare the differences between our proprietary alternative coating and chemical oxidized letters by **[requesting a sample](https://geminimade.com/partner/sales/request-samples/).** **Tip: Learn more about our [flat cut metal](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/flat-cut-metal-overview?hsLang=en), [cast metal letters](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/cast-metal-overview?hsLang=en), and [plaques](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/plaques?hsLang=en).**   --- *5000.01* - [Quote and Order Lead Times](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/quote-and-order-lead-times?hsLang=en) - [Partner Portal "How-To" Articles](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/partner-portal-how-to-articles?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQs](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/partner-portal-how-to-articles?hsLang=en#faqs) - 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