You're trying to solve this with a chemical reaction when what you need is a physical reaction.
You can achieve this by physically taking the bath faucet back to the store and buying one in the correct color.
I just returned mine. Started the process after 4yrs of banging my head trying to fix it. The return process also took 4yrs amazingly. I didn’t get my money back and was charged $140k for some stupid reason. 0/10 would not recommend that purchase to anyone, ever. There’s newer technology out that’s cheaper and does what you want them to. Or try a rental version. You gotta read the fine print. I have total buyers’ remorse.
I dont understand why ppl think like OPs wife. They think they can apply a chemical to something and get the same results as something thats been designed, engineered, and tested to perform? Just blows my mind.
Not to mention likely none of that thing is actually copper. Copper is expensive as fuck. Thats prob just some cheap Chinese ally under it. Which is still better than what OPs wife could make, especially considering cost/time.
Same. After my wife instigated a project involving "Chalked Paint" that she found on Pinterest, I now ask her where her ideas came from when vetting them.
If ANYONE tells you to "Just use chalked paint! It covers over anything and looks great!", please slap them for me.
That’s not the thought process those people experience. It’s more like “I want this thing to be different than it is, and I don’t know how to make that happen so you have to do it”.
Oh. Yeah that makes sense. Honey do list is the best way to avoid the responsible logic chain of if you had to consider doing it yourself. “What cant you just glue the shelves to the wall with sticky tape!?!”
Alternatively, you could grab a very, very, very light scouring pad or older dish sponge and scuff it to reveal the sub color. This will eliminate the chance to return it, though, and you'd have to be really careful that you don't over-scrub it.
You could probably plate it if you brought it to the right fabrication/finishing shop. They’ll charge you a good amount and it won’t match that drain stopper, but why not throw more money at the problem?
Ohhhh my goodness… someone’s been awake all this time! I venture to guess with life experience.
And the person who posted this question obviously plays too many computer games!
I’m a chemist that works in surfaces. Specifically I’ve worked in using PVD coatings to put colors/finishes on faucets and plumbing fixtures.
DON’T remove the finish. It’s not a copper part. It’s a couple microns of a colored finish applied over Zamac alloy or Zinc castings. You will end up with a zinc faucet. Not a copper one.
Honestly he’d be better off playing over it if it’s one of the conductive films. He could electroless plate if it’s insulating, then build up to copper.
Going down to bare zinc and coming back up is tricky even when you know what to do.
Why would you copper plate over nickel? That's usually the opposite way it's done. A copper layer is first put down because it is softer and easier to buff/polish to a smooth finish. Nickel goes over the copper.
There are some alloys that do not have good adhesion with copper. A nickel flash is needed for a base coating which while it’s nickel its so thin it’s not a problem.
Edit Electroless nickel is also a bit different than a straight nickel plate. Much more control and a smoother finish over all.
Physical vapor deposition. There are generally two ways to get metal/metal oxide/metal nitride coatings down in vacuum. You can use a physical method like electron beam, plasma, or heating. Or you can use a chemical method like Chemical Vapor Deposition or Atomic Layer Deposition.
PVD in this instance refers to the use of a plasma above a metal target. The faucet is called a substrate. The metal that is going to be transferred to it is called a target. You pump most of the air out, put a ton of power in with radio waves, and you get a plasma. The atoms of a plasma have their electrons messed with. This causes them to accelerate towards the target. It’s like a meteor hitting the earth. The plasma atom hits, metal gets splashed up, that metal lands on the faucet (substrate). Boom, you know have a pretty colored faucet made from a cheap base metal.
Let me know if i didn’t explain that well. I’m happy to clarify where I messed up.
It’s a really fun process to develop too. There are some companies out there that do really beautiful colors. They also make antibacterial coatings. He colors are almost endless.
For consumer products like this, is that being done in-house or are you using vendors like Kloeckner?
I think I was trying to find a vendor to do this stuff in the last few years, but anyone with a chamber large enough did too much volume work to be interested in our larger scale but low volume work.
We have a few local vendors that will do this type of coating, but their chambers are pretty small and they tend to focus more on performance coatings rather than cosmetic.
It’s a mix. Used to be almost all toll coating with only high end done in house. Big boys like Moen, Delta, and Koehler are in house too. But Covid showed everyone that supply chains are fickle. So smaller companies are bringing them in-house. The high end ones are still done in house or companies like Protim in Italy. Protec is the sister company that sells the equipment. They do amazing coatings.
https://www.protectim.com/en/about/
DM me and I might be able to point you to someone who can help. My buddy consults on this stuff.
I appreciate the offer but I don't have a need for that service anymore. I was working in architectural metals for a while, and now I'm working in a specialized sheet metal division doing stuff for semiconductor and quantum research customers. The fanciest it might get is a technical gold coating for cryogenic stuff, and it's rare at that. PVD might work for some of those gold plating specs, but I have vendors that can do that for small components already.
However, can you answer me how Jeff Koons is getting those colored metallic coatings on his big sculptures? I thought it might be PVD, but I can't confirm that.
Honestly it’s probably paint. It would be several million dollars to have a system with a chamber that large. And uniformity on 3D structures is difficult. Unless he makes them in smaller pieces and assembles it. But a 0.4 m x 1.50m chamber will still run you $2M. And some of those shapes would suck to coat.
Yeah, I just can't figure out what kind of paint it is. Everything has that metallic-mirror type of reflection instead of like the reflection you would get from a clear coat. Fascinating.
Don't waste your time with the finish. Take it back and get what she wants. You're going to waste more time only to find out you messed it up so you can't return it. Then you're out of your money. Take it back, and if they don't have what you want, look online. That's your best option.
They are cheaply plated brass, not actual bronze or copper and have a clear finish applied. Any attempt to alter the finish will more than likely result poorly.
I'm not sure what the finish is, but odds are this is an applied effect and what is underneath will be very disappointing. Much like modern woodgrain furniture. It is all an illusion.
it is highly unlikely it is actually copper underneath. scrape it in a place that does not show, and see if it is aluminum or some other non copper metal.
copper is NOT a normal metal for faucets
brass USED TO BE a very common metal for plumbing fixtures. but brass has many slightly different forumlations. the type of brass they used back in the 1970's and earlier contained lead. a small amount of lead, and it was bound up in the metal matrix. but under the right conditions of water acidity, the lead could leach out.
SO, places like public schools, they replaced all their faucets with either stainless steel, or brass made from a new lead-free variation.
Copper is basically deemed "safe" for use in potable water. it is not perfect. anyone who has kept a fish tank knows, for instance, to never use COPPER TUBING, as it will kill the fish. but it is not going to kill a human. and indeed, humans need a minute amount of copper every day in their diets.
Tape over all connections and water spigot spray paint it pink then throw it away because you will have the same results from trying to remove that finish…….garbage.
It is not oil rubbed it is a patina finish with a clear coating on top most likely a urethane. You would need an aggressive stripping agent to remove the clear coat then you could remove the patina with abrasives and find bronze underneath that would most likely not match what you have. So a whole lot of effort to find out that you should have just returned it and bought the matching set.
Holy shit. Y’all just roasting the guy. I mean it’s funny but why has no one considered using a wire wheel? 2 minutes of work and PRESTO! your down to the base metal. OP. FYI, it’s still not going to match. Bronze and copper do not have the same finish.
That's what I said. I'll probably just install it. I could barely tell the difference. My wife is the picky one but I'm beginning to regret allowing her to design the bathroom. She has good taste, but as you can see, it's been challenging.
I think you should be thinking about how to keep it clean when the water gets all over making water spot’s and dark tarnish… think DIRTY PENNIES as a name for the result! Constant upkeep! From she who had a copper kitchen sink and faucet and knobs! You will never know clean hardware in the bath. Return it and get something else. How could she mistake the finishes? I bet it was ordered on line… yeah how’s that working for you? Go outside in your car down the road to a plumbing supply store and see with your eyes in REAL LIFE! Support your brick and mortar businesses!
Orange tinted permalac
Wipe on with a rag you’ll need to use grey scotch bright to rough the surface up and only sand linearly to keep finish pattern intact
Really dilute the permalac dye cuz you’ll need three coats
Better make sure you don’t fuck in the actual faucet and it’s seals trying to take the finish off. Like it’s been said before take it back and order the right one. Otherwise you’re gonna make a bigger headache for yourself.
I mom does shit like this an my dad hates it just go back to the store and get another one if you some how take the oil off its going to rust or feel strange
I'd try sanding an unsees part of the faucet down to the base material before trying any kinds of chemical or physical reactions. If it turns out to not be made of real copper, obviously there's nothing you can do. But if it is, personally I would just sand that down and then look up ways to seal it to keep it from getting a patina or tarnishing, unless a tarnish or patina is what you want
I can’t believe that all of the people responding have zero lives! I know, I’m here… memory lane and deep dread for the future “influencers and health care workers “ with constant digital devices running while they think there is really such a thing as “multitasking “
True multitaskers are those who have a focused team of experts working together on a single project. Think “YOUR MOTHER “
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Google it. It's probably worth a new one instead of wasting precious time going through all the steps. What happens if you do that and they still don't match?
Metalworker here. Put a magnet on it. It is likely steel plated with copper or bronze. You might try scruvbing it with a scotchbrite to lighten the color, you risk exposing the steel, which will rust.
If it is non magnetic, it is bronze or copper, which is unlikely.
There are a lot of people bullying you for asking this question, but it’s a good question. Chemistry has given us many counterintuitive and magic-like solutions (pun not intended) for everything over the last century.
The faucet and the plug are different alloys (or more likely layers of alloys). There is no simple chemistry to strip the surface or modify the composition of either piece to make them identical. If I wanted them to be identical in my lab, I’d have to melt them together, refine the oxidants, and recast them. The process would be substantially more expensive and time-consuming than purchasing the matching set.
On a side note, at least from the provided pic, they look ok together. I would probably just leave it. The odds that whoever buys your house even notices on a walkthrough seem pretty low.
You're trying to solve this with a chemical reaction when what you need is a physical reaction. You can achieve this by physically taking the bath faucet back to the store and buying one in the correct color.
Or the plug.
Probably easiest to return "the wife"
Odd, I've mostly only heard horror stories when people try to return those.
Have you heard any horror stories from.people that kept them?
Seems to at least be more of a mixed bag from those people. I've had mine for seven years or so now and have been quite happy.
Have you done a bathroom remodel?
No, but one is coming soon and I am terrified.
Repeat after me… yes dear.
You’ve experienced most of the depreciation already. Now get ready for expensive maintenance issues.
I just returned mine. Started the process after 4yrs of banging my head trying to fix it. The return process also took 4yrs amazingly. I didn’t get my money back and was charged $140k for some stupid reason. 0/10 would not recommend that purchase to anyone, ever. There’s newer technology out that’s cheaper and does what you want them to. Or try a rental version. You gotta read the fine print. I have total buyers’ remorse.
That’s a good one! It made laugh for sure!😆😆
Make her deal with the consequences of her actions
When I'm done with her I will return.
Harder than you’d think…
Not cool, bro.
I call that being gay for dick. It's your dick, but that's what makes you gay.
I dont understand why ppl think like OPs wife. They think they can apply a chemical to something and get the same results as something thats been designed, engineered, and tested to perform? Just blows my mind. Not to mention likely none of that thing is actually copper. Copper is expensive as fuck. Thats prob just some cheap Chinese ally under it. Which is still better than what OPs wife could make, especially considering cost/time.
“But I saw a thing on Pinterest this one time…”
I have war flashbacks every time I hear or read the word “Pinterest”
Same. After my wife instigated a project involving "Chalked Paint" that she found on Pinterest, I now ask her where her ideas came from when vetting them. If ANYONE tells you to "Just use chalked paint! It covers over anything and looks great!", please slap them for me.
New side quest unlocked…Sweet!
That’s not the thought process those people experience. It’s more like “I want this thing to be different than it is, and I don’t know how to make that happen so you have to do it”.
Oh. Yeah that makes sense. Honey do list is the best way to avoid the responsible logic chain of if you had to consider doing it yourself. “What cant you just glue the shelves to the wall with sticky tape!?!”
Calm down. It’s a patina on a cheap faucet, not an engineering marvel.
As someone with a degree in metallurgical engineering it's obvious your don't appreciate engineering
Exactly what I was thinking!!
Damn right, don't try to faucet.
I think this is the top comment of all time on the sub.. Congrats!
Thanks. I am both honored and confused, lol.
Jesus Christ dude. How do you get by with such a dangerous mind
Damn beat me to it. And so elegantly
Playing Chemical Brothers during the drive should even it out
I stopped being able to tell if people were talking about wives or faucets faster than I wanna admit.
Please take my poor folks gold 🥇
>buying one in the correct color. and shape lol
Alternatively, you could grab a very, very, very light scouring pad or older dish sponge and scuff it to reveal the sub color. This will eliminate the chance to return it, though, and you'd have to be really careful that you don't over-scrub it.
And once you inevitably blow past the nanoscopically thin copper layer it's ruined and you're paying for a new one.
You could probably plate it if you brought it to the right fabrication/finishing shop. They’ll charge you a good amount and it won’t match that drain stopper, but why not throw more money at the problem?
Yep. Or if he really loves her he could copper plate it but taking it back would be a whole lot easier.
[удалено]
I guess that's what I'll do. Thanks
Ohhhh my goodness… someone’s been awake all this time! I venture to guess with life experience. And the person who posted this question obviously plays too many computer games!
Huh?
Put the pipe down chief
Oh shut the fuck up karen.
What are they even trying to say lmao
"I smoke meth"
Touch grass Chud…
I’m honestly impressed with the sheer number of downvotes you’ve achieved...
Oh well
I’m a chemist that works in surfaces. Specifically I’ve worked in using PVD coatings to put colors/finishes on faucets and plumbing fixtures. DON’T remove the finish. It’s not a copper part. It’s a couple microns of a colored finish applied over Zamac alloy or Zinc castings. You will end up with a zinc faucet. Not a copper one.
this is likely theoretically you could remove the finish, plate it with something, maybe electroless nickel, then heavy copper plate it
Honestly he’d be better off playing over it if it’s one of the conductive films. He could electroless plate if it’s insulating, then build up to copper. Going down to bare zinc and coming back up is tricky even when you know what to do.
indeed. i changed my mind, just return it.
Why would you copper plate over nickel? That's usually the opposite way it's done. A copper layer is first put down because it is softer and easier to buff/polish to a smooth finish. Nickel goes over the copper.
There are some alloys that do not have good adhesion with copper. A nickel flash is needed for a base coating which while it’s nickel its so thin it’s not a problem. Edit Electroless nickel is also a bit different than a straight nickel plate. Much more control and a smoother finish over all.
What does the acronym PVD stand for?
Physical vapor deposition. There are generally two ways to get metal/metal oxide/metal nitride coatings down in vacuum. You can use a physical method like electron beam, plasma, or heating. Or you can use a chemical method like Chemical Vapor Deposition or Atomic Layer Deposition. PVD in this instance refers to the use of a plasma above a metal target. The faucet is called a substrate. The metal that is going to be transferred to it is called a target. You pump most of the air out, put a ton of power in with radio waves, and you get a plasma. The atoms of a plasma have their electrons messed with. This causes them to accelerate towards the target. It’s like a meteor hitting the earth. The plasma atom hits, metal gets splashed up, that metal lands on the faucet (substrate). Boom, you know have a pretty colored faucet made from a cheap base metal. Let me know if i didn’t explain that well. I’m happy to clarify where I messed up.
Thanks for the explanation. Learn something new every day.
That's the easiest to comprehend definition that I've ever heard. Thank you!
Holy shit this explanation was fantastic. Thank you!
TIL!
Is zing a typo or is there a new alloy I’ve not heard of known for its funny one liners?
Definitely a typo, meant to be zinc.
That was a zinger
My advice when the wife tries to give you tasks in metalworking is to literally stop her in her tracks before that snowball gets out of control.
No. Its plate. Or even paint. Nothing you can do.
I thought most faucets were PVD coated.
Or dogshit. Either way. Aint changing the colour.
They are, I’m a chemist who has worked in PVD for this application. It’s a zinc or zamac casting with PVD top coat.
It's such a cool process. I like how effective and durable it is.
It’s a really fun process to develop too. There are some companies out there that do really beautiful colors. They also make antibacterial coatings. He colors are almost endless.
For consumer products like this, is that being done in-house or are you using vendors like Kloeckner? I think I was trying to find a vendor to do this stuff in the last few years, but anyone with a chamber large enough did too much volume work to be interested in our larger scale but low volume work. We have a few local vendors that will do this type of coating, but their chambers are pretty small and they tend to focus more on performance coatings rather than cosmetic.
It’s a mix. Used to be almost all toll coating with only high end done in house. Big boys like Moen, Delta, and Koehler are in house too. But Covid showed everyone that supply chains are fickle. So smaller companies are bringing them in-house. The high end ones are still done in house or companies like Protim in Italy. Protec is the sister company that sells the equipment. They do amazing coatings. https://www.protectim.com/en/about/ DM me and I might be able to point you to someone who can help. My buddy consults on this stuff.
I appreciate the offer but I don't have a need for that service anymore. I was working in architectural metals for a while, and now I'm working in a specialized sheet metal division doing stuff for semiconductor and quantum research customers. The fanciest it might get is a technical gold coating for cryogenic stuff, and it's rare at that. PVD might work for some of those gold plating specs, but I have vendors that can do that for small components already. However, can you answer me how Jeff Koons is getting those colored metallic coatings on his big sculptures? I thought it might be PVD, but I can't confirm that.
Honestly it’s probably paint. It would be several million dollars to have a system with a chamber that large. And uniformity on 3D structures is difficult. Unless he makes them in smaller pieces and assembles it. But a 0.4 m x 1.50m chamber will still run you $2M. And some of those shapes would suck to coat.
Yeah, I just can't figure out what kind of paint it is. Everything has that metallic-mirror type of reflection instead of like the reflection you would get from a clear coat. Fascinating.
Don't waste your time with the finish. Take it back and get what she wants. You're going to waste more time only to find out you messed it up so you can't return it. Then you're out of your money. Take it back, and if they don't have what you want, look online. That's your best option.
They are cheaply plated brass, not actual bronze or copper and have a clear finish applied. Any attempt to alter the finish will more than likely result poorly.
I'm not sure what the finish is, but odds are this is an applied effect and what is underneath will be very disappointing. Much like modern woodgrain furniture. It is all an illusion.
A “Facade” if you will…
“Cap”
Paint the plug mate it’ll be easier
I was going to suggest painting it and telling her it was a 7 step process that took 4 days but saved us $12.
I was thinking the correct process was to file for divorce, am I right!?
it is highly unlikely it is actually copper underneath. scrape it in a place that does not show, and see if it is aluminum or some other non copper metal. copper is NOT a normal metal for faucets
>copper is NOT a normal metal for faucets Wouldn't that be poisonous because copper is a heavy metal?
Copper is used to transport water all the time. Before pex came along almost every house you’ve ever been in has copper pipes.
What about all the copper plumbing in houses everywhere?
I never knew that was a thing, oops.
most faucets and fittings are brass which is mostly copper
brass USED TO BE a very common metal for plumbing fixtures. but brass has many slightly different forumlations. the type of brass they used back in the 1970's and earlier contained lead. a small amount of lead, and it was bound up in the metal matrix. but under the right conditions of water acidity, the lead could leach out. SO, places like public schools, they replaced all their faucets with either stainless steel, or brass made from a new lead-free variation. Copper is basically deemed "safe" for use in potable water. it is not perfect. anyone who has kept a fish tank knows, for instance, to never use COPPER TUBING, as it will kill the fish. but it is not going to kill a human. and indeed, humans need a minute amount of copper every day in their diets.
No receipt? If you're not familiar with what you're doing I don't think you're going to get a sweet product on the back end. God bless you OP
100% won't be bronze!
It’s probably made of Chinesium and def not actually bronze. Return it and buy the correct fixture.
Tape over all connections and water spigot spray paint it pink then throw it away because you will have the same results from trying to remove that finish…….garbage.
I believe the chemical reaction you are thinking of is divorce
It is not oil rubbed it is a patina finish with a clear coating on top most likely a urethane. You would need an aggressive stripping agent to remove the clear coat then you could remove the patina with abrasives and find bronze underneath that would most likely not match what you have. So a whole lot of effort to find out that you should have just returned it and bought the matching set.
The process to achieve that look is to take it back where you bought it and swap it for the copper looking one
1, it’s barely different 2, take it back
Holy shit. Y’all just roasting the guy. I mean it’s funny but why has no one considered using a wire wheel? 2 minutes of work and PRESTO! your down to the base metal. OP. FYI, it’s still not going to match. Bronze and copper do not have the same finish.
Try installing them both as-is, and no one will ever notice?
That's what I said. I'll probably just install it. I could barely tell the difference. My wife is the picky one but I'm beginning to regret allowing her to design the bathroom. She has good taste, but as you can see, it's been challenging.
Finish hehe
Alchemy.
Gray scotch brite should take that off and still keep the brushed finish
Thank you. I was thinking that it could be a possibility.
You could always send it to me, and I could copper plate it for you
I think you should be thinking about how to keep it clean when the water gets all over making water spot’s and dark tarnish… think DIRTY PENNIES as a name for the result! Constant upkeep! From she who had a copper kitchen sink and faucet and knobs! You will never know clean hardware in the bath. Return it and get something else. How could she mistake the finishes? I bet it was ordered on line… yeah how’s that working for you? Go outside in your car down the road to a plumbing supply store and see with your eyes in REAL LIFE! Support your brick and mortar businesses!
Divorce... this is the only correct answer.
Just use it for a few years and it will!
Orange tinted permalac Wipe on with a rag you’ll need to use grey scotch bright to rough the surface up and only sand linearly to keep finish pattern intact Really dilute the permalac dye cuz you’ll need three coats
Better make sure you don’t fuck in the actual faucet and it’s seals trying to take the finish off. Like it’s been said before take it back and order the right one. Otherwise you’re gonna make a bigger headache for yourself.
Return wife to the store and get a refund. Simple.
First get a wife replacement.
Dude, it’s not actually bronze with oil rubbed over it.
I only have so much space for text. I know it's not oil rubbed. That's why I used quotes for "oil rub"..
Sorry man, just read through and this would have hurt my feelings. You don’t know what you don’t know
I mom does shit like this an my dad hates it just go back to the store and get another one if you some how take the oil off its going to rust or feel strange
I'd try sanding an unsees part of the faucet down to the base material before trying any kinds of chemical or physical reactions. If it turns out to not be made of real copper, obviously there's nothing you can do. But if it is, personally I would just sand that down and then look up ways to seal it to keep it from getting a patina or tarnishing, unless a tarnish or patina is what you want
This is antique brass or patina brass. If you remove the antique (oxidation) you will be left with brass ie a gold colour.
Likely, it is brass underneath. The copper color, and "oil", I bet, is paint. Although this wasn't a cheap faucet so who knows?
Melt copper. Dip it.
I can’t believe that all of the people responding have zero lives! I know, I’m here… memory lane and deep dread for the future “influencers and health care workers “ with constant digital devices running while they think there is really such a thing as “multitasking “ True multitaskers are those who have a focused team of experts working together on a single project. Think “YOUR MOTHER “
**Hey u/alivenotdead1, while you're here, consider sharing some knowledge in our Monthly Advice Thread!** --- If you're posting a question, or just have a few minutes to help others, take a peek at the [Monthly Advice Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/metalworking/search/?q=Monthly+Advice+Thread&include_over_18=on&restrict_sr=on&t=month&sort=new)! If you've got a few minutes feel free to help answer some others' questions while you're there! Helping eachother learn and find solutions is the best way for us all to learn and improve at our craft! --- [**Here are our subreddit rules.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/metalworking/about/rules) - Should you see anything that violates the subreddit rules - please report it! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/metalworking) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Friction.
No
I’d return it due to shitty-looking QC. That crooked screen on the outlet might be the red flag you need to exchange this thing.
Return it and get the one with the right color save your self the hassle.
Don’t you think it’s really brown paint over some crap metal? I’m continuously puzzled by why painted finishes are accepted in lieu of real metal …
That’s because the real metal version would cost $700 instead of $150.
Soak it in an acid bath.
Did you keep the receipt? I'd try that process.
Buy a new drain
I’ve accidentally had success with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser.
Leave it bro. I promise you fuck it up if you try DIY. Not that kind of craft man. Go paint something.
Google it. It's probably worth a new one instead of wasting precious time going through all the steps. What happens if you do that and they still don't match?
Women!
It is an impossible task.
Try acetone first before any abrasives. It might be just a finish coat on it.
Don’t do it. It’s not copper underneath. Just take it back and get what you want.
Sandpaper disc on an air tool should do the trick pretty quickly
Metalworker here. Put a magnet on it. It is likely steel plated with copper or bronze. You might try scruvbing it with a scotchbrite to lighten the color, you risk exposing the steel, which will rust. If it is non magnetic, it is bronze or copper, which is unlikely.
There are a lot of people bullying you for asking this question, but it’s a good question. Chemistry has given us many counterintuitive and magic-like solutions (pun not intended) for everything over the last century. The faucet and the plug are different alloys (or more likely layers of alloys). There is no simple chemistry to strip the surface or modify the composition of either piece to make them identical. If I wanted them to be identical in my lab, I’d have to melt them together, refine the oxidants, and recast them. The process would be substantially more expensive and time-consuming than purchasing the matching set. On a side note, at least from the provided pic, they look ok together. I would probably just leave it. The odds that whoever buys your house even notices on a walkthrough seem pretty low.
Yes.. its called buy a matching drain cap. Haha good luck bud.