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What is gold wash? is it plating? It is used on old sterling and is a very thin coating

How can gold wash be replaced or restored?

Tom Vinson
consumer, hobbyist - Piedmont, California, USA
2006

Please start with our FAQ on Silver Plating at Home, Tom. The same can be said for gold. There are simple immersion processes available to consumers that put a really really thin layer of gold on.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

What is the difference between Gold Wash and Gold Plate? Many antique firearms produced in the mid 1800s and earlier are gold washed; that finish was not very durable, losses to the finish are common. Why is that?

Bob J.

Robert M. Jordan
Antique firearms collector & author - San Leandro, California, USA
2007

2007

How was gold wash applied applied 1840 thru the 1870 to iron products. Some antique firearms were decorated this way. Silver plating was done at this time by electroplating and that finish was reasonably durable. Gold wash on antique firearms was however not durable at all. I am asking why not? How does gold wash differ from gold plating...They are not the same.

Bob Jordan
Antique Arms Author

Robert M. Jordan
- San Leandro, California, USA

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