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Author Topic: Gold Plate removal  (Read 558 times)

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Offline Tackleberry

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Gold Plate removal
« on: December 24, 2009, 06:44:34 AM »
need to replace a part, but the only one I can find is gold plated...anyone here have a relatively easy way to remove the gold plating?  I've removed nickel plate using electrolyte (muriatic acid) and a battery charger....
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Offline Smokin Joe

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Re: Gold Plate removal
« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2009, 01:15:42 PM »
If you don't want to polish it off, you can use a mix of muriatic (hydrochloric) and nitric acid. This is about the only mix that will dissolve gold.
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Offline gunnut69

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Re: Gold Plate removal
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2009, 09:51:19 AM »
Remember this acid mix. called 'kings water' will also readily desolve steel also.. Don't know what the part is but polishing is likely the best way.. If the part is not visible then just leave the gold, it will rustproof the steel and is very lubricious..
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Offline ShadowMover

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Re: Gold Plate removal
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2009, 03:30:25 PM »
As long as the part that you want to keep is steel or iron, you can remove the gold with some mercury. If the base metal is brass, bronze, zinc, aluminum, copper or anything but steel, don't do this.  As to where you can get mercury, or what to do with it afterwards, I don't know.  The gold will dissolve in mercury, but it won't touch steel or iron.

Do know anybody who pans gold? They could wash the gold off with their mercury. Maybe some old fashioned jeweler or precious metal recycler?

Yes I know, mercury is the devil's own poison. I sure wish I had known that when I was a kid and spilled an ounce or two in my bedroom. 
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