How to Train in Gold Plating

Gold electroplating can protect metal alloys and prevent corosion, as well as enhance them aesthetically.

Gold plating is considered a specialization within the field of electroplating. The process of electroplating, however, goes directly back to electrochemical gold plating pioneered in the early 1800s by Italian scientist Luigi Brugnatelli. In recent years, scientific advances have brought greater control to the process, as well as given birth to simpler, non-dip gold plating processes such as brush-plating, often used on car emblems. It is important to find a reputable program whatever level of gold plating for which you plan to train. Gold plating is a dangerous process involving hazardous chemicals and therefore has a great deal of EPA regulation surrounding it.

Instructions

1. Evaluate the available programs with regard to your goals and resources. The two most reputable and highly recommended courses of study are run by Kushner Electroplating School and the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society, or AESF. However, gold plating in both of these courses of study is treated as a component of broader training in electroplating. Each of these programs offers on-site and home-study programs, and they each offer a subsequent test for certification.

2. Register for and complete the certification program that best suits your needs, or order a portable gold plating kit that includes a training manual if you decide to forgo the more in-depth study programs. This second option is appropriate if you wish to train strictly for basic gold plating and especially if you plan to focus on simple portable applications such as gold plating car emblems. These kits can be purchased over the Internet. Two examples of companies that offer such kits on the Internet are Gold Plating Services and Caswell. Each of these companies also offers in-depth scientific information about the process of gold plating on their Web sites.

3. Perform small gold plating jobs for your friends and family. There is no better training than hands-on experience.

4. Secure a job working for an electroplating service. This gives you the opportunity to work alongside more experienced technicians in the field and learn first-hand how a professional achieves high-grade results and deals with difficulties associated with the process. This is also a good way to learn standard operating procedures and EPA regulation compliance protocol.

Tips & Warnings

• The respected electroplating industry Web site "Finishing.com" recommends a list of books as "must-haves" for those planning to train in electroplating and gold plating. The list can be found on its Web site.

• Any electroplating process involves caustic chemicals that are dangerous to human health and the environment. You must also deal with the issue of hazardous waste disposal. Therefore, it is imperative that you become well informed about the various issues pertaining to this process regardless of which training approach you choose.

References

• NASF: AESF Foundation: Learn at your own pace!
• NASF: AESF Foundation: Training and Education: Training Course in Electroplating & Surface Finishing
• Kushner Electroplating School: Products and Services
• Finishing.com: FAQ: How do I get started in plating?
• Kushner Electroplating School: About Electroplating Know How II
• Kushner Electroplating School: About Us

Resources

• Finishing.com: Plating and Metal Finishing Books: What You Need & Where to Find Them
• Artisan Plating: a short history of electroplating
• Artisan Plating: Links
• NASF: Our Industry: What is SF?
• Gold Plating Services
• Caswell Electroplating in Miniature: Gold Plating