Textures & Finishes

At Old West Iron, every piece of hardware is a work of craftsmanship—right down to the final finish. This page showcases how each of our hand-applied finishes appears across our four distinct hammered textures:

Smooth – clean and refined

Hammered Edges – subtle hand-worked edges with a classic touch

Distressed – irregular and aged for an antique look

All Hammered – bold texture across the entire surface for maximum character

We offer a wide range of hand-brushed and hand-rubbed finishes, each designed to complement our blacksmith-forged textures and bring out the natural depth of the iron:

Raw / Unfinished – natural iron, ready to age or finish as desired

Gunmetal – deep gray with a cool, industrial feel

Wrought Iron Patina – classic blacksmith finish with depth and age

Black – rich and solid for a bold, traditional look

Natural Rust – oxidized finish for a weathered, rustic appearance

Oil Rubbed Bronze – warm, bronze highlights over black with depth and sheen

Aged Bronze – Brighter bronze with dark highpoints for a worn, authentic look

Pewter – soft silver-gray highlights over black, subtle and elegant

Aged Pewter – deeper, bright silver with black high points for a timeworn feel

Rusty Metal Patina – hand brushed rust tones to mimic age and texture

Our bronze finishes are crafted with real bronze flake wax, while our pewter finishes feature real silver flake wax, giving each piece a luxurious, authentic sheen you won’t find in mass-produced finishes.

This visual guide helps you choose the perfect texture and finish combination to match your project’s style—whether you're creating a sleek modern entryway or restoring a centuries-old timber frame.

Metal in It's Natural State

Raw / Unfinished

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Living Finish, Acid Accelerated Real Rust with Clear Coat

Natural Rust

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Living Finish, Acid Washed Blue / Grey

Gunmetal

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Living Finish, Acid Washed Black / Dark Grey

Wrought Iron

Smooth

Hammerd Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Painted Finish, Matte Black

Black

Smooth

Hammerd Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A painted Finish, Black with Rubbed Bronze Highlights

Oil Rubbed Bronze

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Painted Finish, Black with Rubbed Silver Highlights

Pewter

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Painted Finish, Black with Brass Highlights

Brass

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Painted Finish, Burnished with Real Bronze Coating

Aged Bronze

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Painted Finish, Burnished with Real Silver Coating

Aged Pewter

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Painted Finish, Burnished with Real Brass Coating

Aged Brass

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

A Painted Finish, Hand-Rubbed to Mimic Rusted Metal

Rusty Metal

Smooth

Hammered Edges

Distressed

All Hammered

Purchase Samples of Textures & Finishes

We sell 3" x 3" samples of our flat metal to show the finishes and textures. Purchase individually or in kits to compare common and similar finishes.

Custom Finishes / Color Matching

Sometimes the perfect finish is the one you already have. If you’re trying to match existing hardware in your home, we offer custom finish and color-matching services for an additional fee.

While we can’t guarantee a 100% identical match, we get as close as possible by working from:

  • Clear photos taken in natural light
  • Brand / color names of existing hardware (if known)
  • Physical samples you mail in, when available

Custom finish work usually adds lead time to your order, and pricing depends on the complexity of the finish and the number of pieces. Custom finishes are considered a specialty service and are non-refundable.

If you’d like us to match your current hardware, contact us before placing your order so we can review photos, discuss options, and quote the custom finish fee.

Disclaimer

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Our finishes are not rust proof, if you prefer or need a rust proof finish please order your iron products raw and take them to your local powder coater. 

Our hand hammered texture and hand painted patina finishes are what sets us appart from all other hardware stores and ornamental iron businesses. Due to the hand finished nature of our products, no two pieces will look perfectly alike. We pride ourselves on our craftsmanship and attention to detail, the hammered textures we apply are meant to be imperfect and flawed to avoid the "stamped" or "machined" look that you find in mass produced items. Our finishes are rust resistant and will occasionally need to be re-coated with a clea coat finish to insure the integrity of the finish.

Why We Do Not Offer Powder Coating

We receive many requests for powder-coated finishes. While powder coating has its place in certain industrial applications, it is not compatible with the performance and longevity we expect from our ironwork, especially for exterior or humid environments.

Here’s why:

  • Powder coating can chip or crack, allowing moisture to creep underneath.
  • Once moisture gets beneath the coating, corrosion spreads out of sight, often much faster than natural patinas or painted finishes.
  • In coastal California, where we worked for over a decade, we saw powder-coated railings and hardware become severely rusted in under a year when the coating was breached.
  • Painted finishes allow early maintenance. Powder coating hides corrosion until the metal is already compromised.
  • Our products are forged and textured by hand—powder coat fills the texture, flattens character, and removes the old-world look that defines Old West Iron.

Because of these real-world durability issues, and because powder coat can work against the aesthetic of hand-forged hardware, we do not powder coat our ironwork.

If a customer needs a rust-proof finish, we recommend:

  • Ordering the product raw
  • Having it professionally powder coated locally
  • Or choosing stainless steel or galvanized hardware for marine-grade environments

This gives customers control over the finish and allows them to use local applicators who specialize in coatings designed for their specific climate.