Championship belt gold plating question.

[MikeNicolau]

Hi, everyone. My name is Mike and I have some noobie questions to ask. If this thread is not appropriate, please point me in the right direction. I've been reading around, but there is no information regarding my specific request.

I'm a championship belt-maker, and I'm looking to start gold plating (24k) certain areas of my metal plates. The plates are 4mm zinc, which will already be nickel-plated when I receive them.

Here is a pic of what I will be working with:



I'm looking to buy a kit from Caswell, but I'm not sure if the kits available here will be able to handle such thick parts.

I will be more than happy to read the manuals and learn the process on my own, but I'm just looking for someone to please point me in the right direction. I have the money to spend, but I want to make sure I'm getting the right product before I begin.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

[goldrapt]

Hi,
seeing as electroplating is about putting one material (gold in this case) on top of another you have to think about the area to be covered. The thickness doesn't come into it as far as I am aware.

Try a small pnp unit and experiment.

[MikeNicolau]

I wasn't sure if the smaller kits had enough power to run through such a big piece of metal. I was going to try it, but then I saw it said "for small parts". These plates weigh a couple of pounds each.

Thanks.

[goldrapt]

Hmm, it says for smaller parts because of the cost per sq inch..so I thought.
Brush plating doesnt palte through a metal it plates a thickness on top of.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I can answer your questions soon.

[MikeNicolau]

That makes sense. I guess what I don't know is if there's enough electric current to run through a thick, heavy metal, as opposed to a thinner, lightweight metal.

i.e. What's the difference between the Plug N' Plate and the Professional Gold & Black Krome Brush Plating system? Does PNP use Fast Gold?

Would it be easier for me to call Caswell directly to find out?

[woodjames]

Zinc will require flash copper, or a neutral nickel as regular bright nickel will attack the zinc. Thickness really doesn't matter. Just how big a part are we talking here, overall dimensions? Tank plating will be much easier and maybe a little more consistent, however it's a much much larger investment all things considered. You may want to get the brush kit that has a little of everything in it. Flash copper / Nickel / Gold will be the way to plate over zinc.

Just noticed you said they will be nickel plated. Brush plating gold is acceptable, I've seen very good results for smaller pieces/ areas. The nickel will probably require some activation with sulfuric / battery acid. Other than maybe a little buffing assortment, and cleaning supplies, you'd be good to go. Oh and something like mask-it to control where you are depositing gold. And a way to protect things afterwards like a fancy metal wax to keep things shiny... Hope this helps.

James.

Hi, everyone. My name is Mike and I have some noobie questions to ask. If this thread is not appropriate, please point me in the right direction. I've been reading around, but there is no information regarding my specific request.

I'm a championship belt-maker, and I'm looking to start gold plating (24k) certain areas of my metal plates. The plates are 4mm zinc, which will already be nickel-plated when I receive them.

Here is a pic of what I will be working with:



I'm looking to buy a kit from Caswell, but I'm not sure if the kits available here will be able to handle such thick parts.

I will be more than happy to read the manuals and learn the process on my own, but I'm just looking for someone to please point me in the right direction. I have the money to spend, but I want to make sure I'm getting the right product before I begin.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

[goldrapt]

Zinc will require flash copper, or a neutral nickel as regular bright nickel will attack the zinc. Thickness really doesn't matter. Just how big a part are we talking here, overall dimensions?
Jugo. Oh and something like mask-it to control where you are depositing gold. And a way to protect things afterwards like a fancy metal wax to keep things shiny... Hope this helps.

James.

See, I told you someone more knowledgeable would be along soon

I don't know what mask-it is, I can see what it would do but is it a paper or something please?

[MikeNicolau]

My plan is to just gold plate the raised areas, and leave the recessed areas nickel.

Here is an example of the look I'm going for:

[woodjames]

Caswell Inc. - Mast It Masking Agent

See, I told you someone more knowledgeable would be along soon

I don't know what mask-it is, I can see what it would do but is it a paper or something please?

[FigureLLC]

i have nothing to contribute to plating discussions, but cool work you do!