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-----Gold plating of large cylindrical tubes
July 26, 2014
Q. I looked through many of the question/ answer pages and I think someone might be able to help.
I have fifteen long brass cylinders about 12 feet long by 8" wide. I want to gold plate them. What would anyone suggest? Brush plating seems too slow. Is there a way I might be able do this myself?
I appreciate any thoughts shared.
sculptor/designer - Hopewell Junction, New York
July 2014
A. Hi Sandra. Other readers may have wider experience and some ideas, but in 45 years of electroplating travels, I personally never saw a gold plating tank big enough for this job.
There is a vague chance this is doable with a wiped-on immersion gold plating solution, but even if it came out good, these are so very thin that it would be both fragile and very prone to diffusing into the brass out in the sun.
As far as I know the only two technologies that have been applied to pieces too large for tank plating are gold brush plating, preferably preceded by nickel plating, or applying gold leafing. Best of luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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