Anyone able to Gold plate a metal trigger

Exp271

Looking to get my trigger either Gold plated, Titanium Nitride or Yellow Zinc plated. I done the usual google search and contacted the results but not looking good so far. Any Gumsmiths doing it? TIA

Cass

Was one of them Small Arms services?

Exp271

Philip was on my list to contact tomorrow actually. I'll let you know what he says

Cass

How'd you get on?

Grizzly 45

Belive it or not,it can be a DIY job if you have the time and patience.All that Gold plating is, is actually very thin gold leaf[a millimetre or less in some cases] or a paint of gold leaf flecks.It's expensive as it is actually gold and is used to adorn everything from picture frames to Weather vanes on churches to anything that needs to have gold on it. Including presentation firearms

The thing is, it is not really suitable for things that get used or touched often IE triggers on working guns and will wear off pretty quickly too. Presentation guns are really works of art rather than everyday carriers, so it looks great on them as they will be shot maybe once or twice in their lives.

So have a look for gold leaf paint for metal surfaces on google.

Exp271

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549797#Comment_121549797

I messaged him on whatsapp and no reply yet, I didn't want to ring in case he was on holidays

Cass

Oh yeah, Christmas. Probably best to leave it be till Tuesday.

Exp271

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549907#Comment_121549907

Thanks I'll look into it, I assumed it could be done with 9ct gold which is hard wearing but I've no idea about plating.

Feisar

Would a jewellers be able to put you in touch with someone that'd be able to do it?

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549907#Comment_121549907

Gold plating is not the same as gold leaf/paint (Gilding).

Leaf is layer only placed on top and easily rubs off. Plating is layer that is chemically/electrically deposited. It’s bonded on a molecular level. Much more durable.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121552463#Comment_121552463

Pretty sure I’ve seen 9ct gold plating. It’d be far more durable than leaf, but would still not really be durable compared to other finishes (like ceracote)

Exp271

Okay so the jewelers and plating companies that got back to me so far only offered 24k gold plating which I assume wouldn't last very long at all (I asked them all for 9k). One of them asked for 150 euro plus postage.

So I wanted to try it myself, instead of electroplating I went and bought a "premium" Metallic paint. I removed the old finish with Birchwood Casey rust and blue remover. I then put on 2 or 3 light coats of Rust Oleum Pure Gold Metallic paint. I am very happy with the results although the only question now is how durable will it be. The can says that it gives a lasting durable finish but I think that will remain to be seen. The technical data sheet says that a clear coat is not recommended so if it wears very fast I can just remove the paint and start over. It is a hunting rifle so outside of zeroing it in I doubt 20 shots a season would go through it. What do you guys think? I am happy with it so far.

rustynutz

Looks good, another, more hard-wearing option, would be Cerakote, I'm sure the have a gold colour. There is a guy in Cork that does it.

Exp271

I have to actually go down to Philip (the Cork guy you mentioned) for a job I might bring the trigger and see if he has a gold type cerakote.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121558908#Comment_121558908

Gold cerakote is availible. Cheaper than gold plating and more affordable.

https://www.cerakote.com/project-gallery/95818/49er-ruger-gp100

Exp271

well, looks like I'll be removing that paint so 🤣

freddieot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121560016#Comment_121560016

Unless it comes off easily, get him to remove it for you.

Grizzly 45

May or may not be.As with import duty, shipping and the ever-popular VAT on top of all that the price for importing a pot of this for a once-off job inc time on work of stripping, prepping,spraying the part and all the rest mightn't justify the cost to everyone. Those paints have a very short use-by date as well,[as I found out] once opened so you could end up buying 100[?] euros worth of paint for a once-off job when tBH that Rustoleum job you did looks very good INMHO.

Just my thoughts.

Deregos.

Gilding it with gold leaf or spraying with gold paint will produce a finish that'll sit/lay on the surface of the metal trigger, scratch easily and rub off eventually with use. Cerakote might be durable but the finish looks like cheap plastic.

Now I haven't done any gold plating myself but you can purchase these DIY kits on etsy for around €70.00 that electroplate the gold finish, bonding it to the metal which'll look better and last way longer.

https://www.etsy.com/ie/listing/758917748/14k-gold-plating-kit-14k-electroplating?click_key=290ba1ced66b73c2baecac072af9c9136e1e798b%3A758917748&click_sum=0786476b&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=gold+plating+kit&ref=sr_gallery-1-3