Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Gold plating tips please

What is the best thing to use to achieve a true 18kt gold finish on a watch bracelet , also if the bracelet is two tone one part of it is stainless steel the gold part is a pot metal brass based , after plating what will keep it from tarnishing, if you could provide me with any help, thanks for any information, and Merry Christmas all.

Joe Butts
psu - Wilson, North Carolina
2005

This question did not indicate whether you plan to do your own plating, or you were just curious on how to do it. The stainless steel portion of the watchband has to be masked with an approved plating mask. A watchband manufacturer have machines to do it. A lot of the newer plating masks don't have to be baked, some do. The plating masks have to be carefully chosen not to break down in your cleaners or plating solutions. The band is then soaked clean, direct current electroclean, acid pickle dip, copper strike, Bright nickel plate, 18k hard acid gold plate a minimum of 1 micron thickness. Not many platers will give you this thickness, but on watchbands you need it if you want the finish to last a few years. The band is then stripped of the plating mask and there you have it! A two toned watch band. Keep in mind the 18k gold finish is color only, not true 18k gold hardness which is too soft for the application. As you can see plating is very involved, with all the equipment, solutions and especially the know-how. Good Luck!

Mark Baker
process engineer - Malone, New York
2005

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