[lcaswell]

Gold looking trumpets are usually brass. Are you sure you want to gold plate it?

1. 24kt is 100% pure - very soft. The more impure alloys (like 18K) are harder and more durable.

2. You can't...unless you purchase a tank plating kit.

3. Give the base metal a satin finish first.

4. Depends what you are rubbing it with, how thick the gold is applied, what your surface prep was, etc.

I don't think using the Plug N Plate kit is practical to plate an entire trumpet, especially if you don't have patience.