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Gold plating ?

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:37 pm
by jeff m.
Hey all.
Kinda aiming this at any fellow Aussies on the forum..

Anyone had any experience having hardware gold plated ? Specifically, it's a Jaguar mute that I want to get done..have everything else in Gold, but haven't come across an aftermarket mute in Gold despite many searches !

Yes, Google is probably my friend, but any recommendations or hints ? How about simply spraying it with Gold paint (rattle can) ?. Is that a likely scenario ? Would the paint adhere ? The other hardware I've collected is kinda 'tarnished' to different degrees, so it doesn't need to be an immaculate job by any means.

Any tips or advice most welcome !
Thanks, all.
Best,
Jeff.

Re: Gold plating ?

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 12:19 am
by Futuron
In regard to attempting to use a spray can:

Usually painting over hardware produces poor results, since chrome doesn't like to let anything stick to it...

HOWEVER I have found a spray can primer by Duplicolor (called Adhesion Promoter) that will work on chrome. You can get it from Repco. Duplicolor also have spray cans designed to go over chrome (using the aforementioned primer) in a handful of colours that maintain the shiny metallic appearance (called Metalcast). You can get them from Repco & Supercheap Auto (on sale in the latter's current catalogue). They are translucent "candy" colours, so you can try to mix to get the colour tone you're after. (Any spray can would work with that primer of course, including any other candy product.) You should also give it a clear coat for maximum protection. It will be way more durable than painting over chrome usually is.

I sprayed chrome from a guitar with the smoke & then green, to get dark green metallic hardware.

Image

So the spray paint road is an option should you not be able to find something already gold plated.

Re: Gold plating ?

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 5:56 am
by jthomas
Better than paint:

https://www.goldplating.com/

This looks interesting (never tried it):

https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Plating-S ... B002SHS6M2

Re: Gold plating ?

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:16 pm
by jeff m.
Ah, many thanks guys !
Futuron,
I'm pretty sure there will be a 'Supercheap Auto' store somewhere nearby, will definitely look into that..I wasn't going to bother with the Jag pickup 'claws', as they don't 'pull' the eye as much as the other hardware, but may as well do 'em if I find this stuff !

Many thanks again to you both.
Best,
Jeff.

Re: Gold plating ?

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:07 pm
by Futuron
The primer is absolutely essential on chrome, and I don't understand why SC Auto don't carry it despite having just about everything else from that brand (including topcoat products that require it?). I can't find it online but thankfully Repco has it. It's pretty potent stuff so definitely use a mask/ventilation etc. The directions are unconventional compared with normal paint spray cans I've used so make sure you read them well. On the downside I have had a colour can or two where the contents didn't mix properly and it just sprayed toner dust everywhere. At $15-20 a can it's less troublesome than the usual $50+ for other candy sprays, and I suppose you could take it back for an exchange if you did get a dud.

Re: Gold plating ?

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 2:38 pm
by jeff m.
Ok, many thanks again for help & advice, Futuron.

Actually, while Googling I came across a product called 'RUST-OLEUM Universal Gold Metallic'..a spray can that purports to be both a Primer & a Color in one can..suitable for use directly onto Chrome etc.

Seems to get some very good 'user reviews' ( yeah, I know :whistle: ) on the Bunnings website..one user did suggest lightly scuffing a chrome surface beforehand for a good result..best of all, it's only $12.95 for a 312g tin, so no particular biggie if it doesn't take.

Again, I'm really only doing the mute ( & if it works well, the claws too ), & I'm not after a super-pro job..I'll give this stuff a shot & let you know how it goes !

Again, thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Best,
Jeff.

Re: Gold plating ?

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 8:15 pm
by Futuron
Those Rustoleum & Dulux cans at Bunnings are very cool, and the solid colours are fantastic easy & cheap for things like guitar bodies & drums. I'm keen to know how that one goes with lightly/non scuffed chrome and how well it survives. Any easy way to put colours on things that don't come off is worth using.



Certainly sanding chrome right back (health hazardous - be careful) will allow anything to work over a metal primer... if you ever felt like doing that.