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Want gold "relic" type finish on plastic
Q. Hi, I am looking for a process that would create an unpolished but bright 24k gold finish on smooth 3-D printed resin. I would like the finish to look like cleaned, unpolished, almost "foggy" finish you see on Incan/Aztec/Celtic etc artifacts. I have attached a reference.
I have tried certain paints, they are not gold enough. I am currently trying 24k gold leaf with satin clear. I may also try electroplating.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
- Brooklyn New York
May 21, 2025
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A. Hi
To someone like you who has worked on it, it's not news that it's very difficult to duplicate the look of something in a different medium -- because it's a matter of texture, not just color. Maybe you need to get the texture close before the color even matters?
My understanding is that most pre-Columbian gold was "surface enriched" / "depletion gilded", i.e., attacked with acids to remove copper and silver from the surface. I don't actually know whether this created an etched topography that offers the matte look, but it could be.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Electroplating is best option. You must make your print surface conductive with electroless copper or silver or even nickel and then you can gold plate it. You can brass plate it and then use special gold look patina on it too. Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Cerovski vrh Croatia
May 26, 2025
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