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More Questions About Gold or Brass Patina and Gold Plating

by Gary Bowles
(Sparks, NV. USA)

I am going to create a persomal design for my front door. The approx size will be 22" x 48". My door hardware is polished brass and I would like to patina the soldered foil with either a brass or gold patina. Is there a patina available or must I use gold foil?

Sorry that I didn't ask my question more clearly. Can I gold foil over a completed copper foiled and soldered piece? Also, this is the first time that I have heard of plating a completd piece. Can anyone recommend a plater that has done this type of work in the Reno, Nevada area? I am not too far from the San Francisco California area and can easily travel to anywhere in the greater San Francisco area.

Answer
Hi Gary,

I really can't comment on gold foil. I've never used it. Would you please explain more about it...how it goes on, how permanent it is, can it be polished, etc? I'm interested in knowing more about it.

I did a quick Google search for "gold plating in Nevada and California", and quite a few places came up. I'd contact a few places and find out if they can do it and how much they charge.

I know these olaces aren't near you, but they were recommended as reliable. perhaps you could contact them ans see if they know of any place near you:
J R Gold Plating Inc
1809 East Hennepin Avenue Bldg A
Minneapolis, MN 55413-2708
(612)331-7366
fax #612-331-8405

J & D Plating
2124 Gilbert St
St Paul, MN (651)251-7400

New Dimension Plating, Inc.
540 - 3rd. Avenue NW Hutchinson, MN 55350-1672
Telephone: (320) 587-3389 Fax:(320) 587-8295
E-mail: ndpgold@hutchtel.net

If you don't get some comments here, I'd like to suggest that you ask about plating on Glass Chat at Warner Stained Glass. There are a lot of knowledgeable people there and I know some of them have had plating done.

There is also a "do it yourself" gold plating solution. Do a Google search and a lot of information comes up.

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Dec 27, 2009

Gold Leaf Pen NEW
by: Val Lowich Iskierka

Thanks, Eye, for the information. I haven't heard about gold leaf pens before, though I have worked with gold leaf in the past on other crafts. I will definitely Google this.
Just want to add since my last post about this, that with the cost of metal these days, having items plated is economically prohibitive. When I started, gold was about $250 per ounce, it is over $1000 an ounce now. So I am working with lead panels, copper foil, warm glass and mosaics.

Dec 27, 2009

Solder Points to look bras NEW
by: Eye

I use gold leaf paint at my solder points in a stained glass piece to make it look like brass. Have repaired many pieces and used the gold leaf paint and works very well. I think the paint works better than the gold pen.

Feb 01, 2009

Plating NEW
by: Val Lowich

I often get smaller items plated, with either gold or nickel. And I have used the services of all 3 platers mentioned in MN. A few things to keep in mind.
Many platers will not plate stained glass. I'm not sure why, but from what I see at the platers, it looks quite tedious to attach the copper wire to the glass and then to the metal "thingies" that are dipped in the vats of solution. If something isn't soldered very securely, like a jump ring, your piece could drop off and fall to the bottom of the vat. I have heard of one plater in MN who requires a minimum of 100 stained glass pieces before he will accept the order. (These platers businesses are full of car parts from what I've seen.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if a panel is framed in zinc, the zinc will accept the color, but the texture becomes very rough, somewhat rustic. Ask me how I know. Also, some brass chain is coated, and will not accept the plating. That being said, I very much prefer my items be plated, especially if it is a gift, or something that I sell, as I have a problem with people handling the lead, and think it looks finished. (I work mainly in lead, or in a kiln.)I have also heard of people mailing their things to platers to be done. As I am only about 100 miles from a plater, I haven't had to send out anything. After all this rambling, my advice is to fabricate the panel using brass came, purchase a came bender, paint the joints with a gold pen, and it'll be beautiful. Good Luck, and submit a photo to Sue when it's finished.
Val

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More Questions About Gold or Brass Patina and Gold Plating

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