Love the looks, but I just replaced mine with chrome because our hard water leaves white deposits on them that really show up, and the faucets cannot be cleaned with Lime-Away because the finish will come off.

Agree with hosenemesis if I had to do it again I would not have used Oil Rubbed Bronze. Also used on door latches and the garage latch has the finish completely rubbed off. The popups in the sinks are also losing their finish. Not a durable finish.

I kind of think of them as something that will look dated years down the road. (This doesn't matter to some people obviously---especially if you have the $ to remodel, but if it is something that matters to you, I don't think of that finish as standing the test of time.) On light fixtures I think it is timeless---just not so much on faucets/shower fixtures.

I have ORB hand shower in our master bathroom, It looks and works great.However I don't have city water, so not water marks, We installed it in 6 years and no problems. But I will go with polished Nickel when we re-do, because good quality ORB is more expensive than PN

Yes, it's an upcharge. And (if you actually care) it's already out in the style setting centers. It will take around 5 years for it to be on it's way out in the heartland.

It's in our powder room and it shows water spots readily and since ORB is so different from each manufacturer, it's difficult to match if you need a repair. It's on the way "out", I agree. I like it for rods and other hardware, but wouldn't choose it again for a faucet.

We have it in one powder room that doesn't get used much so it's fine in there. The other bathrooms have chrome. I would not pay extra for ORB.

You could still do dark sconces in your bath but use chrome fixtures.

I have a Rohl ORB in the kitchen - it has a living finish, so it's worn over the past 6 years. Doesn't bother me in the least and adds to the charm of our new "old" home.

I used RH Bistro ORB in the MBath. They are made by Newport Brass. There is no discoloration whatsoever after the same amount of time. Obviously, not a living finish. We have hard water, but deposits have not been a problem. I just clean weekly and remove any I see building up.

The powder room is also by Newport Brass in ORB, no problems there either.

This post was edited by allison0704 on Sun, Jan 27, 13 at 7:14

These comments are all nearly 3 years ago. Is it still a problem that ORB rubs off? ...or have there been improvements made to the finish? Love the look but have had people tell me to stay away from it.

True ORB will always do that as it is a living finish. Sprayed ORB is a simulated finish that will not, even 3 years later.

Do you want the fake or the real? Or maybe just a black finish?

If you want the simulated, I'd say you're safe (from the finish wearing off). Real ORB is supposed to patina. I've had a Delta kitchen faucet in (simulated) ORB for 13 years and it's still beautiful. No finish issues. I'm pretty sure Delta has a lifetime warranty on their finishes.

Thank you for all your advice. This is certainly a learning experience!