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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

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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
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