Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals: Gold finish on guitar hardware, guitar hardware, gold paint

Expert:

Thomas

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QUESTION: Hi Thomas! I read several of your answers, and it is quite apparent that you know your stuff. I hope you have some idea to help me. I have a vintage Japanese guitar that I decided to improve some time ago; in particular to change the hardware to gold. For a few specific pieces of hardware, they are unique enough that no generic replacement part will do without substantial modification I am not willing to make. A friend of mine got an identical set of gold hardware that will work, but unfortunately the plating (I think it's plating, but could be something cheaper) is almost worn through. It looks like tarnished chrome. Long story short, any idea how I can restore the hardware to a faux gold finish? Short of re-plating, which I will probably do if I can't come up with something else, is there any kind of paint or rub finish that looks gold? I would actually prefer a tarnished look, as long as it's gold. I'd be willing to try nearly anything as I now have a useless extra set. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration, Thomas! God Bless

ANSWER: Hi, Michael. I would love to see that guitar. : )

Honestly, there is only one way to really achieve full gold look and that is electroplating. For the time, you can try two options: Rub on products which give a matte look gold color and adhere pretty well to metal, or a spray gold paint for a shinier coating. I suggest spending the extra money to try both to see which will work best. These products will not take wear and tear very well but the rub on product is easily redone and blends in well to previous applications, something I cannot say about paints.

Treasure Gold is a wax-like based product and the matte finish will look ok but not as shiny as a paint. Many better crafts stores will have the product. This takes a rub to coat the surface and works best on recesses but will cover highlights, too. As it wears, the look will be more tarnished looking than some other products.

Paint must be applied very gently and easily or you will get a run. Once you have a run in the paint, the job is messed up. To use a gold spray paint, get a spray can of the stuff. Shake it very, very well to prevent splatters. Clean the metal parts to remove all traces of oils. This means in the least a good wash with dish detergent and rinse and pat dry, followed with a wipe down with alcohol. Do not touch your fingers to the metal from then on until the paint is totally cured. Support the items so you can get the spray to most sides by moving around.

Spray from a distance with a very fine mist. This will waste lots of paint but is the best way to get a smooth and uniform surface. Do not try to totally cover in one spray application, not a all.   Spray so you have a misty coat, then following directions on time to wait for a second coat (from the paint can), spray again. Do this until the item has a nice uniform gold surface with no runs. Any good hardware or paint store should have gold spray paints suitable for use on metal.

LINK: Treasure Gold, wax-like based rub on gold coating. Also see the same site for Liquid Leaf, a brush on formula. This is a copy and paste link. Also a basic Google search will show sellers of these products.

http://www.supplycraft.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SCI&Prod...

I do hope this helps. You see, for a truly gold surface, only plating will do it full justice. The other methods will look pretty good but not like gold plate.

Michael, feel free to use a follow-up if you need to get back to me on this question.

God Bless and Peace. Thomas. April 24, 2008        7:26pm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Thomas! Your answer was very thorough and helpful! I've looked into it, and the Treasure Gold sounds just like what I'm looking for. The hardware will all be stationary and I'll only need to touch it for occasional adjustments, so it should hold up fine. Even better, there a few pieces I hadn't found in gold yet, so if it works well on my extra set, you'll have saved me around 30-40 bucks! I'll order a few small jars tonight, and I'll be sure to send you pics of the finished product if it all works out well. Thanks again for the great advice! Best wishes and God bless.

-Michael
IMAGE: Electra X420 (vintage Japanese ES-335 style guitar)

ANSWER: follow-up to Michael........

Michael, thanks for the fine rating and for the image upload. I do look forward to seeing it all done.

Just a note, when and if you want the items actually gold plated, check this company: Red Sky Plating. A search will turn up the website.

http://www.redskyplating.com/

These are real pros and will do a much better and more durable job than a local jeweler is generally able to do. Then again, the minimum job is $100...to think about. When the plating time comes, if it does, an email to this company will give you the info to make a choice.

Thanks for the God Bless. Many folks are simply afraid or hesitant to say such "things" on the net. I appreciate it.

God Bless again... Thomas. April 24, 2008    9:49pm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Thomas! I finished waxing the hardware about a week ago, and I've been playing the guitar often since with no visible wear or tear. I used a glossy painter's finish spray enamel over the top, and I'm quite pleased with the results. I was even able to touch up a bit right over the top of the dried finish and it blended without a seam! Needless to say, I'm very satisfied with the results (and price), and I'm sure I'll be using Treasure Gold for a few years at least until I can afford gold plating. Thanks again for all your help and God Bless!
Best of luck in all your endeavors,
Michael

Answer
Michael, you make me very happy. I often do not get to see the results of my advice or hear back from those for whom I answer. Thanks for the picture..looks great to me.

You got creative with the addition of the topcoat and from what you said, it works. Very fine!

Have a fine tomorrow. God Bless and Peace. Thomas. May 10, 2008

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