13 replies to this topic

[Widget]

I have been practising with my gold plating machine but have always been unhappy with the colour of the 24ct gold. Whilst browsing E Bay I saw a product that allows you to mix 2 solutions so that you can make the gold solution lighter by adding a mixer.  Depending on how many drops you add you can reduce down to 18ct, 14ct and even 9ct.  A different mixer allows you to make Rose gold.

I tried today with a Sheaffer Oversize Balance.

You can see the before picture and how the same cap looks now.  Although time consuming sanding off the original to allow a smooth finish I'm very pleased with the results.

Comments invited.

Edited by Widget, 13 August 2014 - 03:56 PM.

[david i]

Nice

 

-d

[Rocco P]

You are good.

Would you be willing to describe your setup and methods? I'd like to learn to restore trim too and it seems to me that you have perfected that art.

[Widget]

It's not difficult to do but time consuming and set up costs can be prohibitive.  The initial cost was about £350 and for that I got the machine and the leads and 2 carbon rods.  Also a pack of 3 swabs you put over the rods, rubber gloves,gold plating solution, spray for water, mixing containers and a CD explaining how to plate.  Since the initial outlay I have bought silver solution and more recently the solutions that you mix which is trial and error.  You also only get a tiny amount of the solution for £50.

For pens you need smoothing sticks so you don't get a bumpy finish after plating.  This can take the longest time.  Also before starting to plate you have to clean off with something called MPU.  The plating is the easy bit if you can get the clip to stay in place.  I use a pressure bar attached to the crocodile clip on the red lead and put it under the clip.  It must touch if the clip is to be plated. 

The other thing is some pens just don't take the plating.  Must be to do with the base metal.  When it does work the results can be very pleasing.

The other thing it does very well is replate steel nibs.

I have spent well over £500 trying to get it right and I'm still very much a novice but a determined novice.

Just finished a Skyline cap and I'm very pleased but can't find a before picture but believe me the cap was a mess but looking good now.

[Ron Z]

Are you doing an under layer of nickel before plating?  It's a necessary step to keep the trim from tarnishing...     Some folks who provide plating services skip this step.  I decided that given the low cost of the nickel, it's something that should not be skipped.

[Widget]

Ron No I'm not and you are quite correct my test piece did tarnish quite quickly and although it polished off easily it's not something I want to happen.  I will get some nickel.  Would that mean all pens furnishings could be plated if I use the nickel?

See I told you I was a novice.

[Widget]

Had a look at nickel plating but everything I have seen says to use tank.  This is OK if the furnishings are detached but wouldn't fancy submerging pen in chemical when clips are attached.  Can you brush plate nickel?

[Ron Z]

Tank plating is the most ideal because the plating is even and heavier.  But it is impractical if not impossible to tank plate while the furniture is still on a pen, so we pen plate.

 

You don't need to tank plate nickel.  You can brush/pen plate.  Just chose your solutions carefully.  Clean well with a good surfactant to remove polishing compounds and oils from your skin.  Be sure to rinse well with distilled water before plating.  ....and yes, you should nickel plate everything before the gold plating goes on.

[Widget]

Can you suggest a suitable solution for me?  Also do I heat the solution.  1 chap had his in a coffe machine another said he used boiling water.

They were also mixing it with bubbles.  One used something from a fish tank.  I felt really overwhelmed when I had finished watching all the videos on U Tube and decided perhaps plating was beyond me 

If it has to be warm can I put it in the microwave?

I would like to do a good job even though it's just for my own pens and personal satisfaction.

[Ron Z]

For pen plating, you do not need to heat the solution. Note that pen plating is not as heavy as tank plating, but it is better than the plating on pens like the Parker Sonnet. You'll find plating solutions on eBay and at jewelers supply sites like Rio Grande.

[Widget]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item58b0c4a84b

 

Ron will this do.  There are others but they are far more expensive.  Some need mixing.  Do I get bright or dull?

[Ron Z]

It's not a pen plating solution, but it might work. Get bright nickel - you might want to plate a Waterman lever or clip some day.

[Widget]

There wasn't any that said pen plating but the chap I got my kit from e bay seller tweegee had a smaller bottle and that didn't say industrial.  It was considerably more expensive but I want the correct stuff.  Don't want to go at it half cocked.  I will look for the link and add it to this post.http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43cc3fd006

 

Is this stuff better?

Edited by Widget, 16 August 2014 - 09:55 PM.

[Widget]

Ron Where r u ?