Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

What solution would you use to electroplate gold onto another metal

I want to start a hobby in gold electroplating. What is the best solution to use to do this.

Paul Strand
hobbyist - Marion, Illinois
December 2, 2009

December , 2009

Hi, Paul. There are many different gold plating solutions depending on whether you need 24 karat, or a harder alloyed surface. They are based on cyanides, citrates, sulfites, or other complexing agents. But here's the thing: even expert professional plating shops do not attempt to formulate their own gold plating baths, but rely on suppliers who specialize in supplying gold plating processes. Gold is so costly that the additional cost of formulation is less than the cost of trial and error. Try Technic or Gold Touch [a finishing.com supporting advertiser], or search our Directory of Chemicals.

Often, a plated layer of nickel or white bronze precedes the gold to keep it from diffusing into a silver, copper or brass substrate. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: