Multicolor fixture finishes

A multi-color plumbing fixture comprising:

• a first vacuum deposition coating having a first appearance;
• a second vacuum deposition coating having a second appearance that differs from the first appearance;
• a gradient portion extending between the first vacuum deposition coating and the second vacuum deposition coating defined by varying intensities of the first and second vacuum deposition coatings, wherein the gradient portion has an appearance that transitions in graduated fashion from the first appearance at a first end thereof adjacent the first vacuum deposition coating to the second appearance at a second end thereof adjacent the second vacuum deposition coating;
• and
• wherein the multi-color plumbing fixture is selected from the group consisting of a faucet, a faucet handle, water piping, a hose, a sink, a bathtub, a whirlpool, and a spa.

A method of coating a plumbing fixture, comprising:

• depositing a first coating on the plumbing fixture;
• selectively applying a masking material in a graduated fashion over at least a portion of the first coating to define a gradient from a first portion of the plumbing fixture that is substantially completely covered by the masking material to a second portion of the plumbing fixture that has substantially no masking material;
• depositing a second coating over the masking material;
• and
• removing the masking material from the plumbing fixture such that the plumbing fixture has a surface finish including a gradient region representing a gradual transition between the first coating and the second coating;
• wherein selectively applying the masking material in a graduated fashion comprises spraying the masking material at varying intensities,
• wherein the first coating and the second coating are selected from at least one of physical vapor deposition coatings, chemical vapor deposition coatings, chemical vapor deposition coatings and atomic layer deposition coatings.