For thousands of years, mankind has used Alchemy to try and turn objects into Gold. Alas, this is something which is not possible, but the next best thing is electroplating, where any object which conducts an electric current can be Gold plated, and give off the illusion that it is solid Gold.

image from:http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/

Electroplating Explained

The process of electroplating is really quite a simple one and has been used for the last couple of hundred years. You will need to get a solution called an electrolyte and you will also need to pass an electric current through it, by dipping two electrodes into the solution. When the circuit is completed, the solutions atoms then split up and deposit a thin metal layer onto the surface of the electrode. If you are using Gold, this deposits a thin layer of Gold all over the electrode, but there are also many other metals which you can use in this process.

• Gold
• Silver
• Copper
• Tin
• Zinc

If you wish to electroplate an item which is non-conductive, this is possible but you will need to do some preparation first. The surface area that you wish to plate will need to be painted with a conductive paint in order for the metal to stick to the surface.

Is it really that Easy?

The electroplating process is not only fast, but it is also relatively easy, as explained above. If you do a quick search of the internet, you will be able to find a number of different companies that offer electroplating kits which can be used at home. These machines come with everything that you will need to electroplate any conductive surface, and you can use Gold or any other type of metal that is suited to this process. The process is really quite cheap and there are two different methods that can be used.

Brush Plating & Tank Plating

Bruch plating is the simpler of the two processes and is done by passing an electric current through the item, whilst brushing the electrolyte solution onto the surface. This method is quick and easy and can be done by pretty much anyone. The second process is Tank Plating, which again is pretty easy, but it does require some specialist equipment. You will need a special container which you use to submerge the item that you are going to plate. An electric current is passed through the object and the tank, which leaves the metal deposit on the surface of the conductive material. Both of these plating kits can be bought and used at home, which means you will be able to gold plate your watches, phone covers, jewellery, or anything else that you want to, simply and within the comfort of your own home. You may even be able to offer this service to people and make yourself some money in the process!