Gold Plating Information Thread

[ts]

Recently members have posted questions regarding gold plating on their firearms. Personally I am not the biggest fan of this idea but it peaked my interest technically.

I do not know anything about gold plating, especially on firearms. But it doesn't sound like a completely illogical idea, it would protect the metals from rust.

However as we all know gold is a soft metal thus the finish could wear very quickly.

How thick is gold plating vs. chrome and other finishes? Would there be a way to make the gold plating more durable? Does anyone have any pictures of a completely gold plated gun with ware?

I decided to post this since CalGuns is a great source of information. Even though gold plating might seem a little silly to a lot of us - it is still useful information, many members here seem to be interested in it.

Let's have a scientific discussion of gold plating on firearms.

Tony

[xenophobe]

You could always spray plate your AK pistol. lol

[VeryCoolCat]

I wouldn't mind two gold plated 1911s like nick cage in face off

Hell gold plate an AK.... say its from saddams personal stash

[Sam Hainn]

It may be more durable and obviously less expensive to do a coating like Magnum Research puts on their Desert Eagles. They also did actual 24Kt gold DEs if you were willing to pay. But the titanium looked nicer than gold plate cause it had more 'yellow' in it than the actual gold. They even did multiple shades to form stripes and weird patterned designs.

[ts]

It may be more durable and obviously less expensive to do a coating like Magnum Research puts on their Desert Eagles. They also did actual 24Kt gold DEs if you were willing to pay. But the titanium looked nicer than gold plate cause it had more 'yellow' in it than the actual gold. They even did multiple shades to form stripes and weird patterned designs.

Could you provide any further information on Magnum Researches gold plating/titanium plating process?

[aplinker]

That gold colored coating is titanium nitride. It would make an excellent firearms coating. TiN is a very hard ceramic usually used for tools. It also has excellent adhesion. TiCN would be even better, but is black (likely the one in the tiger striping).

Most TiN is done using physical vapor deposition, which isn't cheap.

Gold is a terrible choice for a coating. It's extremely soft and would come off quickly and easily.

[ts]

That gold colored coating is titanium nitride. It would make an excellent firearms coating. TiN is a very hard ceramic usually used for tools. It also has excellent adhesion. TiCN would be even better, but is black (likely the one in the tiger striping).

Most TiN is done using physical vapor deposition, which isn't cheap.

Gold is a terrible choice for a coating. It's extremely soft and would come off quickly and easily.

TiN coating would look better then real gold plating and be more durable as well? Do you know anyone that does this?

[JPglee1]

What is TiN you ask?


In my experiences, TiN coating is used extensively in HSS drill bits/metal working tools and also as an anti stiction/protective coating on fork-leg sliders for motorcycles (see pic


Ohlins fork assembly


Traxxas Revo RC car shock shaft upgrades (TiN coated)


This company offers TiN coating, and they are in CA

http://www.crystallumepvd.com/html/infinium.html#top

This company is also in California and offers the service:

Balzers, Inc. - Bakersfield, CA offers TiN coating
2803 Landco Dr
Bakersfield, CA 93308
(661) 322-5566


BryCoat offers the service, but they are in Florida:

http://www.brycoat.com/pvd-tin.html

sales@brycoat.com 727-490-1000

Lastly, as an FYI... "Enzo Racing" (http://www.enzoracing.com/) in Santa Ana does the work for motocross bikes, but they charge $500.00 for *ONE* pair of fork tube sliders (which IS a lot of surface area compared to a pistol) so don't be shocked if it isn't cheap.

Me personally I like black chrome


Hope this helps.... Good to be back around again *waves*


Jay

[Toolbox X]

Call these guys and ask your gold firearm plating questions. I think they can answer them.

http://www.apwcogan.com/Greetings.htm

Also, you could try talking to these guys. http://www.goldplating.com/e-mailanswers/Q100306.htm