What are the disadvantages of PVD vacuum-coated faucets?

The disadvantages of PVD vacuum-coated faucets mainly lie in material properties, process requirements, and usage and maintenance, as follows:
The potential risk of lead leaching from the substrate
Most PVD vacuum-coated faucets have brass as the base material. Brass contains lead (although the lead content of high-quality products complies with the national standard GB 18145). Long-term use in areas with poor water quality (such as high hardness and acidity) may increase the risk of lead leaching. Especially for families with mothers and infants, caution is needed when choosing.
The coating process is highly dependent
Poor-quality craftsmanship is prone to damage: Low-priced products may have poor adhesion of the coating due to insufficient coating thickness (<2μm) or non-standard substrate treatment (such as incomplete oil removal). After long-term use, the edges and corners are prone to peeling and exposing the base, which affects the appearance and even accelerates the corrosion of the substrate.

Stability differences of colored coatings: Some special colors (such as rose gold and bronze) have complex processes. Under extreme environments (such as long-term exposure to sunlight or contact with strengthening chemical solvents), slight fading may occur, and their color fastness is slightly lower than that of the base colors (such as gold and black).
The maintenance requirements are relatively high
Avoid strong friction and corrosion: It is necessary to avoid using steel wool balls and strong acid or alkali cleaners (such as toilet cleaners), otherwise it may damage the dense structure of the coating surface, resulting in a decrease in gloss or accelerated corrosion.
Impact sensitivity: Despite the high hardness of the coating, local depressions or coating cracking may still occur when subjected to severe impacts from hard objects, affecting the integrity of the appearance.
The price is relatively high and the style is limited
Cost threshold: The price of high-quality PVD vacuum-plated faucets is generally above 300 yuan, and high-end products can reach 1,000 yuan. When the budget is limited, the cost performance is lower than that of stainless steel or ordinary electroplated models.
Style compatibility: Despite the rich colors, the metallic luster of the coating leans more towards modern or light luxury styles, which may seem out of place with pure retro, country and other decoration styles that emphasize natural texture.
Weight and installation complexity
Brass base material has a high density. PVD vacuum-coated faucets are usually heavier than stainless steel ones. When installing, it is necessary to ensure that the countertop or wall can bear sufficient weight. Moreover, some high-end models have complex structures and may require professional installation.