[KCV6]

Tom,

Plating can be achieved on non conductive materials by first coating the item with a conductive layer. This is usually in the form of silver laden acrylic laquer (sliver paint). It is a difficult technique to master. There are other variations on the theme involving other conductive media being applied first. Much like Bronzing where graphite paste is applied and polished off leaving a thin layer.

The bond of the deposited electro or electroless plating is only as good as the bond of the conductive material to the substrate. Glass for example would not have good adhesion qualities unless it was first chamber coated in aluminium and/or gold. We run several coating chambers at work where we can deposit gold to glass etc to manufacture precision mirror optics. It costs $2500 Aus just to set up a single chamber run for multiple coatings, so needless to say it is rarely done this way.

Cheers

Mark