Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Need info on gold plating

I want to know what metals to use for gold plating.

William Wallace
- Maud, Oklahoma
2002

---

Alchemists usually suggest lead, but I think you'd be better off with gold.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2002

There are three methods.

Firstly, you will need a chunk of gold, a solution of potassium gold cyanide and your article to be plated. Join your article and the gold metal to a good car battery. This is a very toxic process and if you don't know what you are doing you may well kill yourself and half your neighborhood in the process.

The second method is to get a piece of Philosopher's Stone; this was well known in the 17th century, so there must be some around somewhere. This stone will turn anything to gold.

The final method is to give it to Midas to hold.

Seriously, gold plating is expensive and very toxic, so I suggest if you want to experiment with electroplating you try something cheaper and safer, like copper.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2002