Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----
How to do Bronzing of baby shoes
Q. I am interested in bronze plating baby shoes, Do you know where I might find info? thanks in advance for any help.
Ronald S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]1996
A. Hi, Ronald, we have a lot of good info here for you, including this long thread, topic 7336, topic 14005, and several others you can find by searching the site.
But honestly I suggest that you prove to yourself that you can sell them first. This business is ninety eight percent sales and two percent making the shoes. So you might want to start by finding a vendor and setting up a distributorship -- learning the market before you invest and buy the toxic chemicals, and try to learn an art form solo which is perhaps better learned under apprenticeship. I've run this popular metal finishing site since 1989 and can't recall more than half a dozen people wanting to buy bronzed shoes in all those years.
Topic 1 is on a related subject as well. Good luck with it, but if you are not a salesperson there is little market, and if you are a good salesperson there is no real need to make them yourself unless the art of the idea drives you :-) Best of luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Ronald S wanted to know how to bronze plate baby shoes. I remember in the 1950's seeing ads selling kits to do this in magazines such as Popular Mechanics. Recently, I saw a similar ad. They claim to offer kits to metallize baby shoes in copper, bronze, or gold. I confess to being curious since I thought it was impossible to effectively plate on to a non-metallic substrate. Does the process really work, and if so, how?
Nick [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]1997
A. Thanks for the update, Nick. Yes, it is possible to effectively plate non-metallic surfaces. Almost all of the world's bright automotive grills are electroplated plastic, for example.
Here is an FAQ, 'Plating organic materials', that may serve as an introduction.
For shoes, basically you lacquer them to make them waterproof, then metallize them by spraying them with a two-component silvering solution (the same as used in making glass mirrors). One part is a soluble silver salt, and the other part is a reducing agent; when they meet on the surface of the shoes, a very thin metallic silver is deposited; alternately (and probably easier) you can simply spray with a conductive paint. Then you can carefully electroplate the metallized surface with other metals, ending with bronze if necessary, but usually they're actually copper plated rather than bronzed.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
!. I looked into a couple of those baby shoe "bronzing" companies. The process was not actually "plating". It was more like "coating". The first step was to dip the shoe in a clear sealer. Then you simply air-brushed (included in kit) the "bronze", "gold", "silver", or other finish coatings. I think one of the processes had you wipe on or buff a powder over the shoe. The last step was to again seal the shoe with a clear finish. Rather disillusioning I thought! The term "bronzed" referred to the color rather than the process.
Jerry L [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]1998
A. Not always true though, Jerry!
"Potato chips" can be made by thinly slicing a fresh honest potato and deep frying those crisp slices, or they can be made by mixing up a slime of potato paste, splurting that slime into a mold, and baking it until it hardens. Some people are okay with baked potato paste, others demand authentic chips.
Similarly, "Bronze shoes" can be made either by actually electroplating the shoes with real metal, or by daubing that metal-bearing brown slime on them and letting it harden.
I try to be neutral on my potato chip and shoe bronzing preferences :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I am very interested in selling bronzed, silver and gold plated baby shoes in my area. I was interested in performing the process myself, manufacturing and distributing the product in malls and at local retail outlets. However, it appears from what I've read that this may not be possible due to the chemicals used and the government regulations imposed.
Could any company provide me with information on how to move forward toward my desired goal of entering the once again growing business of bronzing baby shoes.
1997
A. Yes, electroplating is a categorically regulated industry, David. It's not impossible to do it yourself, but it is beset with regulations if you want to really stay above board. There are probably many plating jobshops who would be happy to do the plating steps for you if you prefer to do the lacquering and initial metallization.
Bronze colored paints/pastes/lacquers probably isn't beset with regulations if you want to go that route :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. TO ANYONE THINKING ABOUT BRONZING BABY SHOES AT HOME:
I HAVE BEEN BRONZING BABY SHOES AND MOST ANYTHING ELSE, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. I HAVE USED A PROCESS WHICH IS NOT A METAL PROCESS, BUT MORE A COATING THAT IS DIPPED AND THEN SPRAYED ONTO THE MATERIAL. IT IS GOOD LOOKING AND HOLDS UP VERY WELL, BUT IT IS A HARD SELL. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PUT YOUR HEART AND SOLE INTO THE BUSINESS THEN DON'T GET INTO IT.
- Florida
1997
Q. I have been using a brush-on process for years and the results have been very satisfactory. The hardening liquid used (as I have been told) is the same liquid used to stretch the cotton coating on home built airplanes.
I have been unable to find the chemical name for this but I do believe it is a butyrate or nitrate with a black pigment added.
If anyone here is familiar with this chemical, please respond.
1998
Q. I was so happy to find this web site on bronzing. Lots of you are interested in baby shoes. I am interested in bronzing art sculpture that I make myself. I have tried home methods using coating but they are just not the same.
It makes the product look like just what it is. The real thing is what I want to learn to do and maybe just try a few baby shoes in the process. If anyone can help a determined beginner please do so. I do not know where to start at this point I am seeking all the help that I can find. I use dangerous chemicals in a lot of my projects that have used them with a lot of respect and always keep them under lock and key. It is so hard to find info on bronzing. I would even like to take a class if I can find one.
- Perry, Georgia
1998
A. Plating of non-metallics is simply in the preparation. I have plated shoes, a cricket ball (ball game played by other than US) made of leather, a cricket bat (made of wood), golf tees and resin castings of various shapes.
There have been articles published in various journals and we have a company in Sydney Australia that specializes in this process.
Perhaps someone can detail the articles but the basis of the process is to seal the material with epoxy and coat with conductive paint (I have always used Electrodag) and plate.
It's good fun but I have only done it as a hobby not as part of our regular processing.
Regards
Bob Lynch
plating company - Sydney, Australia
Q. I am interested in this subject from a hobby/artistic point of view, so I have many questions … any replies would be highly appreciated.
Are there any other suppliers that provide equipment to the do-it-yourselfer. What is electrocasting? Who supplies or has info? One company claims that they electroplate solid metal on baby shoes and other items … what equipment would be needed for this and who can supply it?
Thanks,
- Calgary, AB Canada
1998
Ed. note: For names of suppliers please use google; we avoid brands/suppliers in forum postings ( huh? why?)
A. Greetings from John Cray - Perth, Western Australia.
by Jay H. Newman
on AbeBooks
or eBay or
Amazon
(affil links)
For most of the working information you are likely to need on this subject I suggest you go to your local library or friendly book shop and ask them to get in for you the following publication: Electroplating and Forming by Lee Scott Newman and Jay Hartley Newman.
It is chock full of photos and diagrams on 'how to start and how to do' and is written with very simple procedures and instructions and is easily understood by the complete novice to plating and electroforming.
It also contains a full range of make it yourself plating solutions which contain chemicals that you should not need permission to purchase (i.e., sulfuric acid).
The book is about 100 pages and a real must to own when plating items of art with irregular shapes and with non conductive surfaces. (see also my posting in topic 14005)
John Cray
- Perth, Australia
Q. I'm interested in bronzing baby shoes. But I am pregnant now and was wondering if any one knew if those chemicals can be inhaled, and would they be dangerous ? What about wearing a mask ?
I am looking to get a business going before the baby arrives.
Thanks.
- Maine
1999
Q. About my adventures and challenges making bronzing baby shoes. I am sharing this hoping someone also can share his/her adventures and probably find together a solution, as I am still committed on the issue! My wife and I got the idea of putting a baby shoe bronzing factory here in Monterrey Mexico, after seeing an ad, I expended a hard-earned $500 bucks on the process of ordering a professional kit, and so far I am disappointed with the results. The process involves using a hardening resin to fill the shoes inside, and then a base and metallic paint for the look a finishing acrylic base, yeah it is a hard smelling process, do not attempt this if pregnant.
They just do not look like bronzed shoes, but as painted and hardened (not much even) shoes. I feel bad about this and I am still trying to get better results, the problems are:
1) Not enough hardening of the shoes, not inside or outside, inside the resin is "crackable" and outside I have not obtained the claimed "glass-hard" finishing.
2) Too brilliant varnish like finishing, does not look like metal really.
3) The shoes do not look like covered by a metal, neatly losing some detail and rounding up some, but just look like painted shoes. I want to offer a quality product in which I am confident and trustable, so I am considering buying electroplating equipment and learning to use it being careful with the chemicals.
RFQ: Also I have considering partnering with someone at the US who can
a) Offer me wholesale bronzing services, or
b) help me establish a facility here, sort of distributorship or franchise.
If you know something about this two possibilities of know someone interested in discussing this further.
Sincerely
- Monterrey Mexico
1999
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
!! Hello Readers; I'd like to advise anybody planning on bronzing their shoes to be very careful to make sure you are having them electroplated! In my 9 years of sales experience in this business, I have seen many nightmares; shoes destroyed by the other methods of so called preservation techniques. These methods do not last the test of time! There is only one way to preserve your shoes. Electroplate them! Thank you for your time.
Annette M [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- British Columbia, Canada
Q. Like these other readers, I have also been searching for bronzing methods for baby shoes and other items. From the responses I have seen, it sounds like those spray on type "preservation techniques" may not be that great for some items (such as baby shoes). However, I would still like information on those metallizing techniques if anyone can send me them.
I would also like to learn how to electroplate. If anyone has any information on this area, please tell me. Thanks!
- Ohio
1999
Ed. note: Please see our FAQs which cover this, Alena.
Q. I am thankful for finding this information on the net. My husband and I are looking for a part time job of baby bronzing shoes. We have been sent information in the past but have misplaced it, we cannot remember where we found this information, but believe it was in the Midwestern States. Has anyone been happy with any company? We are planning on doing this out of the house. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.
Linda N [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Illinois
2000
Ed. note: If you post an RFQ people can contact you privately with commercial offers. Apologies that a "no registration" website like this has proven to be a poor place for public testimonials though. We can offer technical answers, but not publicly suggest or trash sources or brands. ( huh? why?)
Q. I'm still unclear as to what is the best process of preserving baby, sport dance shoes, etc. Is there a process that is durable and can be done out of one's home, like in the garage? I would be looking for a process that does not have chemicals that are restricted or require special ventilation to use.
I received info from a supplier, but now after reading some of the comments I don't know if their process is the best, there is also another company in Florida that does not have the need for the spray compressor but I'm not sure what the results would be. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
- Lancaster, California
2000
RFQ: I'm responding in trying to find out how to be a independent representative for a company that bronzes baby shoes, I'm interested in starting a home business to make a few dollars, if anyone can help please let me know. Yvonne
Yvonne S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- South Carolina
2000
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
Q. Hello,
I live in Spain and I want to SILVER plate TWO baby shoes. I had it done years ago in The Netherlands and results were not very satisfactory. I would appreciate if anyone could forward me a good professional address and contact details to enquire about the cost and the length of time needed. It does not matter if it is in the USA or anywhere in Europe. Thank you.
- Catalunya, Spain
2000
Ed. note: Google will quickly find you current info.
A. Bronzing Baby Shoes is a tricky thing to do. There are many ways to do it but I find non-metallic electroplating the best way to bronze the shoes. For over 10 years I had worked in this field and had the pleasure of plating many shoes as well as other items like hats, toys, skates, gloves and even cigarettes with the ash still attached. All the items were plated with very little problems. If you are looking for a plater make sure that the plater you chose is a true electroplater and not a powder coater that deals in bronze dipping.
Ken OsbornOntario, Canada
2001
Q. I am wondering if I might be able to do this at home, on my own. Are there any kits on the market, or is this something that must be done professionally ? Thanks in advance for any responses.
T. Mallgrave- Blackwood, New Jersey
2003
A. Have you tested the market for this product before investing in it, T.? There are kits for both real bronze electroplating and for paints that look somewhat like bronze. I'd ask for a sample of the ones that look like bronze and see if you can sell such a product to your friends and neighbors. I don't think I'd attempt real bronze electroplating in a residential environment, although copper plating and patinating may be possible.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003
Q. Can anyone tell me about "electroless plating". I have seen information on a business opportunity bronzing baby shoes and other keepsakes using this method. I think you start with a hardening material, apply a coating of real metal and later a coating to preserve it. Does this method work and give satisfying results for customers? Can you make a lot of money with this trade? Thanks!
Michele Jones- New Orleans, Louisiana
2005
Q. Hi I am really interested in bronzing or electroplating baby shoes and I am now completely confused? What is the difference and can someone give me a website for purchase or and info on the process thank you.
Melinda Bartols- Australia
April 22, 2008
A. Hi Melinda. Sales pap is always one-sided and glowing, and increased confusion is the natural result of hearing both sides of any proposition. That's just life :-)
Everything has advantages & disadvantages. Regarding 'bronzing of shoes':
• There is such a thing as real bronze electroplating, but it requires deadly cyanide and is utterly out of the question except for within a properly designed industrial facility and done by workers with chemical and haz-mat training.
• There is copper electroplating followed by an antiquing process. This is probably how most rbronzing is done today. This involves some fairly hazardous chemicals, but dedicated hobbyists and artists certainly can do it, and they feel that the genuine metal coating they produce is far superior to any imitation bronzing involving paints, pastes, and lacquers.
• There is a process, probably several somewhat differing processes, where metallic paints, pastes, and/or lacquers are sequentially brushed, sprayed, or daubed onto the shoes to produce something which looks like electroplated metal. This is probably something that anyone can do and is probably reasonably safe, and there are probably multiple vendors offering somewhat different approaches, costs, and results. But the question will probably forever remain whether any of them is "good enough" for you and/or your customers.
Please use google to find "kits".
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. I have done the "preservation system" of bronzing baby shoes also. I used to make a decent living until I had to move out of state and did not have the time to do it in my new location. It is a tough sell at first until you show them what the end product looks like. I had found a woman's shoe from the late 1800's and decided to use it for my display. I used the system where you put hardener inside the shoe, airbrush the different coatings on and dip them in a water based finished. I still have that shoe and it still looks like the day I did it 15 years ago. I got into this after having my child's shoe actually bronzed and was not happy with the finish when I received them back. They were rough and looked kind of ugly and are extremely hard to keep clean. I used to show people those real bronzed shoes and the shoe that I preserved. It then became a easy sell. It takes a certain type of person to use this method because a certain amount of artistic ability is required along with a good deal of patience. Like any business venture you must know what you are doing which requires practice. Too many people think this is fast easy money. The fact is like any business it requires a lot of work and dedication to succeed.
Kevin OxnerApril 27, 2008
- Lincoln, Nebraska
A. I learned the difference in "bronzing" processes the hard way. I have my own baby shoes -- done over 50 years ago, and they are definitely a hard metal. I had shoes "bronzed" in the Toledo area and what I got back was bronze-colored paint that didn't even harden the shoe, was poorly mounted, that pretty much deteriorated and became useless in a short time. The business sounds fun and sellable, but it is not easy to do well and needs to be "test sold" to see if one can do it.
Jay Clinton- Fostoria, Ohio
August 21, 2008
Q. Hello Kevin Oxner -I was impressed by your input. Please would you let me know the ins-and-outs of shoe preservation. I don't have the space to get an electrolytic bronzing paraphernalia, nor can I afford it. Many thanks, if you can!
RHENA VOLLNHOFERhobby - Braintree, Essex, U.K.
April 12, 2009
A. In answer to your reply to my writing. The shoe preservation system worked where I was located. I made sample to show people and explained the difference between the actual bronzing and the shoe preservation system. You must be honest with your clients if you want repeat business and a happy customer. I preserved a lot of shoes and some very interesting items. You really have to think and experiment before doing other items. You have to be willing to spend time and money. Day cares are a great place. I also watched the new birth sections of the newspaper. Hard work and honesty will pay off. Always be sure to make samples to show. Make sure you always properly clean and prepare all surfaces before preserving them. You also need a eye for detail.
I still have some of the items I used for samples and they look just like the day I preserved them. You will notice that I did not use the word bronzed. To me that is very deceptive. Preserved is a very accurate term. To me even some "bronzed" shoes should use the term preserved given what is really called "Bronze". I had customers tell me they liked my preservation system better than the shoes they had bronzed previously because they were smoother and they liked the shine.
It bears saying again though: Be honest, show samples and be prepared to work hard. With any business venture it takes work, time, and money. Too many business opportunities seem to claim how easy it would be and how rich you will become. This is not a quick get rich opportunity, but then again what is in real life?
- Lincoln, Nebraska
A. Hi all
I have been plating baby shoes, sports equipment, Buffalo skulls, crocodile skulls, leather balls of all types, fruit, vegetables, braziers, underwear, cigarette packets, and many other non-conductive items for about 10 years and run it as a successful business.
It does need a fair amount of knowledge in the electroplating field, but that can be overcome once one knows the exact preparation, which is the most important part about the whole process even before you start the actual plating of the copper onto the item. First of all there are different methods to sealing and preparing each and every type of item you wish to plate. The process I use dates back many years and yes I plate a copper finish onto the item which is buffed to a high luster on a buffing machine ,then antiqued, then rubbed down with a wire wool and then lacquered.
Regards
Roy
- Cape Town South Africa
August 5, 2010
RFQ: Dear All,
Glad to find such a lot of people interested in shoes bronzing!
We had idea of shoes bronzing for a year already, but there is no such business in Ukraine. And all this time we've been trying to find a technology, either calling already existing companies to find if we could be their representatives with manufacturing in Ukraine (which will be organized by ourselves).
We read lots of opinions on this forum, but still we are looking for a person who will be our Consultant! Who could help us with manufactory organizing?
Also, if somebody knows a company that needs representatives with personal manufactory in other countries, please let us know!
Thank you!
Alexandra Waisburd
Vi - Kiev, Ukraine
January 26, 2011
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
by Warner Electric
on AbeBooks
or Amazon
(affil links)
A. Hello, cousin Alexandra.
We hope our website is helpful to you for technical information, fun, and camaraderie.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Regarding Alexandra's question, I see in Wikipedia:
The history of galvanotechnology in Russia (Russian)
http://www.galteh.ru/article_galvanotehnika.html
I am considering opening a small electroplating/shoe "bronzing" factory here in Israel, but don't know if there would be enough demand.
Thanks for a very informative site,
Shalom in the middle of the Middle East Situation
Shalom Kaplan
Kaplan's Kreations - Beit Shemesh, N/A, Israel
July 13, 2014
Thanks for the helpful reply, Shalom -- life goes on in good times and bad.
The best man I ever knew was an American jew with two of his children living in Israel. He cried for the misfortune of the Palestinians as much as for the fate of his own children. Although he has passed on, his daughter still lives there with you.
I know it is small consolation in troubled times, when hatred smolders and solutions seem impossible, but every corner of the world holds honorable people who love their fellow man. My own main spiritual belief is that our highest calling is to constantly strive towards becoming such a person, but talk is cheap and I can't even imagine how hard that would be for people who have suffered or are suffering atrocities at the hands of others.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Owning a trophy and awards shop, this might be an interesting compliment to what we do. I've been looking for something super-customized to be able to offer for awhile and am curious if it is possible to do bronzing of foam or clay? Rarely I'll deal with a company that makes some milled bronze plaques, but if I could make suitable alternatives, that may be another service to offer if the start-up costs aren't ridiculous. So much resin awards have a faux bronze finish that I know it's a popular look.
If a person is able to bronze, how much of a leap is it to do chroming, which would be a side business unto itself? space isn't an issue, but my space is in a residential area, so I'm afraid that would be an issue.
Someone specializing in baby shoes would be a nice hobby for a few dollars, and I'd do those, too, of course, but my imagination rather runs the gamut of possibilities.
- Dayton, Ohio, USA
March 6, 2011
Ed. note: Please see our "Intro to Chrome Plating"
RFQ: I am also interested in bronzing baby shoes. I prefer the old fashion way. I used to do it back in the 70's. I have been looking for some type of advertising , but no luck. If there is anyone that knows where I can get all the materials for this process, it would be greatly appreciated.
Ernestine
- St Louis Missouri United States
August 27, 2013
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
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