Gold plateing

djh860

January 19, 2012 13:16

I have a silver inlay on a gun that id like gold plated. Would that be a big hassle? Would the piece need to be removed from the receiver before
it is plated?
Thank you

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  Bill DeShivs

  January 19, 2012 13:34

  Plating an inlay is problematic. Gold plating is very soft and doesn't wear well, and the inlay would have to be brush plated.
  I don't recommend it.

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  XXCross

  January 19, 2012 17:24

  If it were to be done right, you would have to remove it from the stock. Then I would suggest taking it to a wholesale jeweler and having it cleaned, polished and electro-plated with at least three microns of gold. It will take you awhile to wear that off.

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  steg

  January 19, 2012 18:34

  Actually, for the best results, any bluing would have to be removed first, then buffed smooth, plated with copper, then buffed, then gold plated-at least 3 mils thick.
  The reason for the copper plating is that gold by itself does not adhere very well to iron or steel. The copper does, and the gold makes an excellent bond to copper. In addition, Gold plated on top of iron or steel is just a light dull yellow, but plated over the redness of the copper, the gold reflects the reddness and appears rich and bright. Lastly, gold over copper and copper over steel will wear better than gold on steel. As the last responder said, your best bet will be a wholesale jeweler, but it won't be cheap.

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  Bill DeShivs

  January 19, 2012 19:03

  Have you guys ever done any gold plating, or reading for that matter?
  OP states he has a SILVER inlay. Gold plates on silver just fine. It plates on steel just fine too, BTW. There is no need for a copper underplate, and underplates don't "show through" any proper plating job. Underplating has absolutely no bearing on the wear properties of gold plating. Where do you guys get this stuff? I am a plater (among many other things) and know whence I speak.
  BTW- OP states the inlay is in the RECEIVER...

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  XXCross

  January 19, 2012 19:29

  Bill,
  
  "Have you guys ever done any gold plating, or reading for that matter?
  OP states he has a SILVER inlay. Gold plates on silver just fine. It plates on steel just fine too, BTW. There is no need for a copper underplate, and underplates don't "show through" any proper plating job. Underplating has absolutely no bearing on the wear properties of gold plating. Where do you guys get this stuff? I am a plater (among many other things) and know whence I speak."
  
  What do you mean "you guys". Yes gold plates on silver and a host of other metals...and nonmetals...even BUGS ! They look so much more interesting under our electron microscope !

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  nmyers

  January 20, 2012 09:16

  I admit to knowing little on this subject.
  
  But, I have watched an engraver at work, & he explained that he was hammering the inlay into a dovetailed recess that mechanically retained it on the gun. So, it seems to me that any soft metal with a thin plate over it would not do well if you hammered it. I'm guessing that the only way that the OP can get the look he wants is by paying an engraver to replace the silver inlay with a gold inlay.
  
  Neal

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