Metal Man Restoration cleans and maintains architectural metal for buildings across New York, and sets up maintenance programs so a finished restoration keeps looking finished. Cleaning and upkeep is different work from polishing, and it is what protects the money already spent on a restoration.
Brass and Bronze Cleaning
Brass and bronze entrances, lobby fixtures, plaques, railings, and hardware tarnish steadily in city air. We clean them correctly for the metal and its existing finish, renew the protective lacquer or wax before it fails, and leave the surface protected rather than just wiped down.
A Recent Brass Entranceway in Newark
In September 2026 we refinished a brass entranceway in Newark, New Jersey. The doors and frames were refinished and clear coated, with the glass and stone masked off while the work was done.
Stainless Steel, Aluminum, and Painted Metal
We remove scratches from stainless steel elevator panels, storefronts, and fixtures and restore an even grain or polish without replacing the panel. Anodized aluminum curtain walls, window frames, and painted steel are cleaned and refinished in place where the coating allows it.
Maintenance Programs
For buildings that would rather not think about it, we put the work on a schedule. A program sets the right cycle for the building, catches problems while they are still cosmetic, and avoids the far larger cost of a second full restoration in a few years. See our architectural metal maintenance program for how that works.
Why City Metal Needs a Schedule
Soot, pollution, salt, and constant handling break down protective coatings faster in New York than almost anywhere else. A restored bronze entrance can start looking tired inside a year or two with no upkeep. Catching that early is cheap. Leaving it is not.
What We Clean and Maintain
- Architectural Metal Maintenance Program, scheduled inspection, cleaning, and protective coating for building metal
- Stainless Steel Restoration, Repair and Scratch Removal, regraining and same-day vandalism response
- Architectural Metal Painting and Anodized Aluminum Restoration, fluoropolymer refinishing for faded panels
- Metal Cleaning and Maintenance in Manhattan, the same work for Manhattan buildings
- Metal Cleaning and Maintenance in the Bronx, the same work for Bronx buildings
Common Questions About Metal Cleaning and Maintenance
These are the questions building owners and property managers ask us most about keeping architectural metal up.
How often should architectural metal be cleaned?
Most entrances and lobbies benefit from a scheduled clean and a coating check once or twice a year. High-traffic and street-level metal often needs more. A program sets the cycle for your building.
Can you maintain metal you did not restore?
Yes. We assess the existing finish, clean and protect it correctly for the metal type, and flag anything that needs more than upkeep.
Is the work done on site?
Most cleaning and maintenance is done on site with minimal disruption. Pieces needing heavier refinishing or plating come back to our shop and return finished.
Do you remove scratches from stainless steel?
Yes, from elevator panels, storefronts, and fixtures, restoring an even grain or polish rather than replacing the panel.
What is the difference between cleaning and polishing?
Cleaning and maintenance protect the finish that is already there. Polishing removes material to create a new finish. If the metal is dull rather than dirty, see our metal polishing page.
Related Services
- Metal restoration in Mount Vernon, NY
- Architectural metal restoration
- Metal polishing and brass restoration
- Metal plating and re-plating
- Marble and stone restoration
Talk to Us About Your Building
To talk through a building, call (914) 662-4218 or send photos of the metal you need kept up. We will tell you what it needs and what a sensible cycle looks like.
Projects Like This
Real projects from our own shop and job sites. Every one of these is work we did ourselves.
US Customs House Philadelphia PA
Metal Man Restoration was hired to restore the metalwork at the US Customs House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
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Niagara Mohawk Building - Syracuse NY
The Niagara Mohawk Building is a classic Art Deco landmark in Syracuse, New York. Built in 1932 as the headquarters...
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Newark City Hall
In April 2006, Metal Man Restoration was hired to restore the exterior bronze lighting fixtures and window hardware...
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Metal Man Restoration just finished replating and lacquering six hairy paw feet from an old Phyfe dining table. The feet that I sent were in miserable condition, particularly the castors. The old brass finish had worn through in many places, revealing the base metal. After Metal Man's work...
Our Clients
We serve a diverse range of clients, including homeowners, contractors, antique dealers, hardware companies, insurance companies, restoration companies, and collectors.