Gold plating is the process of depositing a thin layer of gold onto the surface of another metal. It’s done for aesthetic purposes and to inhibit corrosion. While gold plating was once only done commercially, advancements in technology have made it possible for hobbyists to gold plate small items at home. Gold plating can be a relatively simple process if you have the right tools and follow the proper steps, you can learn how to apply a beautiful and durable layer of gold to items like jewelry, hardware, and decorative pieces.

Choosing a Gold Plating Kit

There are several types of gold plating kits available to DIYers today. The most common options are brush plating kits and immersion plating kits. Consider the pros and cons of each when selecting a kit for home use:

Brush Plating Kits

Brush plating, also called selective plating, uses a handheld brush applicator to apply plating solution to a specific area. This gives precise control over where the plating is deposited.

Pros:

Allows plating small, targeted areas
Uses less solution than immersion plating
Easier for beginners to get good results

Cons:

Only practical for small items and surfaces
Takes longer to plate larger pieces

Brush plating kits work well for decorating flat surfaces like jewelry, trophies, and hardware. They’re also great for touching up worn plating.

Immersion Plating Kits

Immersion plating involves submerging the item to be plated in a bath of plating solution. The piece is connected to a rectifier which supplies electrical current.

Pros:

Plates all surfaces of an object at once
Faster plating time for large or complex pieces
Achieves uniform plating thickness

Cons:

Requires more plating solution
Not suitable for selective plating

Immersion kits are preferred for plating intricately shaped items like decorative pieces, flatware, and candlesticks. They provide the fastest and most complete coverage.

When selecting a kit, consider the size and type of objects you want to plate. Brush kits offer versatility for small jobs, while immersion kits are best for completely plating larger pieces. Look for kits that include all necessary equipment and enough solution for multiple uses.

Gathering Materials and Setting Up Your Workspace

Once you’ve selected a plating kit, there are some additional materials you’ll need to gold plate successfully:

Distilled water – For rinsing plated items. Tap water contains minerals that can contaminate plating solutions.
Cleaning solutions – Such as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or citric acid cleaner. Removes dirt, grease, and tarnish from item surfaces before plating.
Polishing supplies – Like jeweler’s rouge or very fine sandpaper. For polishing items to a smooth finish before plating.
Beakers and containers – For mixing and holding plating solutions. Glass or plastic work well.
Alligator clips – To connect items to rectifier when immersion plating. Insulated clips prevent solution contamination.
Personal protective equipment – Like chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection. For safe handling of solutions.
pH testing strips – For checking solution pH before and during plating.
Workbench – A sturdy, non-conductive surface for your plating setup. Avoid metal workbenches.

Your plating kit will include instructions for assembling the necessary equipment. Here are some general tips for setting up your workspace:

Work in a garage, basement, or shed with good ventilation – fumes can be produced.
Cover workbench with plastic sheeting to protect surface.
Set up rectifier, anode, cathode, and items to be plated within easy reach.
Have distilled water supply and rinse containers nearby.
Arrange solutions in a logical order for the plating process.
Check that all electrical connections are secure.
Verify solutions are at the proper temperature before starting.

Taking the time to organize your tools and materials will make the plating process smoother and prevent contamination of solutions. Refer to your kit’s instructions for specific setup directions.

Cleaning and Preparing the Item

Thorough surface preparation is crucial for achieving quality gold plating results. All grease, dirt, rust, residue and tarnish must be removed for the gold layer to properly adhere. Here are the key steps:

1. Inspect and Remove Flaws

Examine the item under bright lighting to detect surface defects like cracks, pits, and scratches. Deep flaws should be smoothed out with sandpaper or filed down to prevent uneven plating.

2. Clean With Soap and Water

Wash the item in warm water with dish soap or detergent. Use a soft brush to remove any dirt, oil, or grime. Rinse thoroughly.

3. Remove Tarnish and Oxides

Soak the piece in a metal cleaner like citric acid or vinegar to dissolve corrosion and tarnish. An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner can help remove deep buildup. Rinse with water and dry completely.

4. Polish Smooth Surfaces

Use increasingly fine grits of sandpaper to polish flat surfaces to a uniform smoothness. Curved areas can be polished with jeweler’s rouge. Remove all residue.

5. Degrease With Solvent

One final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or a degreaser removes any remaining oils or films. This leaves a perfectly clean surface for plating to adhere to.

Following all preparation steps ensures that the gold will bond evenly across the entire surface of the object. Rushing this process can lead to poor plating quality.

Activating and Plating the Piece

Once the item is cleaned, it’s ready for surface activation and gold plating:

1. Activate With Solution

Apply an activation solution like nickel acetate using a brush or by dipping. This etches the surface for better gold adhesion. Follow kit instructions for solution strength and immersion time.

2. Rinse

Rinse thoroughly with distilled water. For immersion, items can be dipped in distilled water baths 2-3 times. Allow piece to fully dry.

3. Apply Gold Solution

Brush or dip item in gold plating solution according to kit directions. Ensure complete coverage of all surfaces. Solution temperature should be 90-110°F.

4. Connect to Rectifier

Attach piece to cathode (negative) clip, and anode (positive) to gold plated item included with kit. This supplies electrical current to drive the plating reaction.

5. Plate the Piece

Once connected, leave the piece submerged or continuously brush solution over surface. Plating time varies based on factors like temperature and base metal. Follow kit instructions.

6. Check Progress

Periodically remove piece and inspect plating progress. Look for a uniform gold layer. Replenish solution and adjust rectifier as needed to continue plating.

7. Rinse and Dry

When plating reaches the desired color and thickness, disconnect piece and rinse thoroughly with distilled water. Dry completely with a soft cloth or air hose.

Careful attention during the plating process will reward you with professional looking gold plated items. Making adjustments to solution strength, temperature, and plating time based on the kit instructions and the results you see will take some trial and error.

Polishing the Finished Piece

Once plated, a final polishing step helps the gold layer achieve a brilliant luster:

Remove light scratches – Use progressively finer grits of sandpaper, up to 2000-3000 grit, to remove any fine scratches from the gold surface.
Polish – Use a polishing compound like jeweler’s rouge or very fine buffing wheel to create a mirror-like shine. Apply sparingly and buff gently.
Clean – Wipe away all residue and rouge with a soft cloth dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol. Hand wash plated items with mild dish soap and dry thoroughly.
Apply protective coat – For jewelry and pieces handled frequently, apply a thin layer of clear nail polish or jewelry lacquer. This prevents wear and helps the gold layer last longer.

With proper polishing, your gold plated items will display the beautiful brilliance that only real gold can offer. The plating will last for many years with occasional touch-ups as long as the base metal remains undamaged.

Troubleshooting Common Gold Plating Problems

When starting out, you may encounter some problems producing quality gold plating results. Here are some common issues and how to solve them:

Problem: Plated layer appears dull, uneven, blotchy, or easily rubs off.

Solution: The item was not properly cleaned and activated. Ensure you carefully follow all preparation steps before plating.

Problem: Plating solution stops working or no longer plates effectively.

Solution: The solution may be contaminated or depleted. Replace with fresh solution and carefully filter and maintain according to kit directions.

Problem: Gold layer scratches or flakes off easily.

Solution: The plated layer is too thin. Increase plating time to build up a thicker layer of gold.

Problem: Black spots or burned areas appear on the item.

Solution: This is caused by solution contamination. Replace solutions and thoroughly clean all equipment to prevent contamination.

Problem: Plating has a brassy, yellowish tint.

Solution: Increase plating time to develop a deeper gold color. 18-24K solutions plate slowly than lower karats.

With practice, you will get a feel for the process and how to adjust for optimal results. Don’t get discouraged if your first few pieces don’t turn out perfectly. Gold plating is an art that takes experimentation and experience.

Safety Tips When Gold Plating at Home

While gold plating can be done safely at home, there are some important safety guidelines to follow:

Work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves and goggles.
Keep plating solutions away from pets and children.
Thoroughly wash hands after use and before eating or drinking.
Take care when handling hot solutions to avoid burns. Allow solutions to cool before disposal.
Follow kit instructions for proper use and disposal of chemicals. Improper disposal can harm the environment.
Check electrical connections to avoid risk of shock. Unplug rectifier when not in use.

Exercising caution with chemicals and electricity is the best way to prevent accidents. With some common sense, you can enjoy gold plating as a fun and rewarding hobby.

Achieving Professional Looking Results

With a quality plating kit, proper preparation, and adherence to instructions, DIYers can produce beautiful gold plated items at home. Here are some tips for getting professional plating results:

Carefully follow all preparation and cleaning steps before plating. This is the key to success.
Use the right plating technique for each item. Brush plating works best for small items and targeted areas. Immersion plating is faster for larger pieces.
Maintain proper solution strength and temperature. This ensures optimal plating speed and gold quality.
Adjust electrical current to get 1-3 amps initially, reducing to 0.5-1 amps as plating progresses. Higher amperage deposits gold too fast.
Plate items for longer than the minimum times stated in instructions for thicker, more durable plating.
Check items and solutions periodically as plating progresses. Make adjustments as needed.
Give plated pieces a final polish and protective coat for long-lasting shine.
Practice on inexpensive items until you get the hang of the process. Experience brings better results.

With the right techniques and a bit of practice, you can gold plate small items and make beautiful jewelry, decorations, and accessories right in your own home. Not only is it satisfying to work with metal, but you can save money and customize pieces exactly how you want them. Gold plating is a practical skill with many applications that can also provide hours of enjoyment.