Attn: Experts ..Gold Plating Info Needed

[Maxlove]

Does anyone have a referral on getting a watch (Rolex Day Date) that is completely disassembled 18K gold plated in the CONUS.

Most every company I call doesn't do watch parts.

Anyone know of a Rep friendly plater that will do a spectacular job?

Thanks,

Maxlove

 

[guanaco]

Hmmm... I don't know any, but check the phone book and ask if they do gold plating services, most jewelries do. You can also buy a home gold Plating kit which are inexpensive.

 

[Maxlove]

Hmmm... I don't know any, but check the phone book and ask if they do gold plating services, most jewelries do. You can also buy a home gold Plating kit which are inexpensive.

Thanks guanaco. I have actually called about 10 plating companies in the US and they all say that they don't do watch parts and my local jewelers seem to have a problem with Rep parts.

I thought maybe someone might know someone who knows someone if you know what I mean.

 

[guanaco]

NP. Man, they're really anal about reps in the U.S. jewelry stores that have nothing to do with watches.

 

[Dizzy]

ive got one of those automotive portable gold plating kits for doing emblems and stuff on cars.. i havent used it in about 10 yrs but i'll see if it still works and if i have the chemicals.. if so i can do it for you

 

[Maxlove]

ive got one of those automotive portable gold plating kits for doing emblems and stuff on cars.. i havent used it in about 10 yrs but i'll see if it still works and if i have the chemicals.. if so i can do it for you

Thanks Dizzy but this is a watch that I really want perfect..just the right color of 18K with a touch of rose and I am not sure we should chance a 10 year old plating kit. I bought this watch 3 years ago from one of our dealers unassembled and it is still new and unused.

What a great offer from a great guy. I wonder though, what it might take to do some testing. Let me know what the chemicals cost might be and we can perhaps experiment.

Many Thanks, Maxlove

 

[daytona4me]

Maxlove,

I'd get with Klink and have him (or you) talk to Joe.. maybe he can handle it for you... get a firm date on when you will get it back.
Shocked you didnt know this one.. :roll:

[think:3k5f305u]Was that the answer he wanted?[/think:3k5f305u]

 

[Maxlove]

Maxlove,

I'd get with Klink and have him (or you) talk to Joe.. maybe he can handle it for you... get a firm date on when you will get it back.
Shocked you didnt know this one.. :roll:

[think:3e0musg7]Was that the answer he wanted?[/think:3e0musg7]

Funny man!!! You are crackin me up!

Joe has the watch now and I am getting it back un-plated. I don't want to put any additional pressure on him to do this right now. He really is not feeling all that great. He looks like crap!

Are you just trying to make me feel bad again are you? I hope not cuz you already did by being the lucky SOB that had his face in Jenna's chest. She's my girl I tell ya!

BTW, Klink is not feeling the best either, he just had a major setback. He is unreachable, at least to me anyway.

BTW2. It seems like you are saving people tons of money on our little hobby.
Great job!

If you have an epiphany on the plating issue, I'm ready.

Thanks for making me smile!

 

[Dizzy]

hahaha doesnt matter if its a 25yr old kit its still the same technology and process and chemicals. You can choose whatever gold u want.. 14k 18k rose or yellow... also does rhodium and silver, copper etc.. unfortunately i have no chemicals at all anymore so i cant do it. sorry

gold emblems on cars went out of style, and i tossed the machine into storage. Not sure where the chemicals went.

 

[Maxlove]

If you are up for it..PM me with the chemical costs and we can play around a bit. Maybe this could turn into another hobby!

 

[BurgerFlaggen]

Try this place; I've often thought about picking up a few items from here and hanging a shingle out providing the service.
No time. I'm just too bloody busy.

Imagine a Seamaster in black chrome, or converting that Rad from stainless to rose gold.
Always intrigued me.
http://www.caswellplating.com/

EDIT
Their site has changed since the last time I was there; they now offer Parkerizing and a variety of other processes too.
Poor man's PVD?

 

[offshore]

Max,
Have you spoken with Artisan?
http://www.artisanplating.com/faqs/goldplatefaqs.html
Think they may be able to help.
I have a Caswell kit, it is a bit "iffy" in final quality.
The big trick is to positively identify what you are plating. IE S/S, chrome brass etc.
However even if you get it right, the final results leave much to be desired. I use my kit for "touch ups" and if I need a full plate job, send the case off to a plater here in Oz.
This costs around $75-$90, and as I can use $20-$30 worth of chemicals, and a bunch of time, I consider the +$75 well spent.
Give me a PM if you need any other info.
Offshore

 

[BurgerFlaggen]

Max,
I have a Caswell kit, it is a bit "iffy" in final quality.
The big trick is to positively identify what you are plating. IE S/S, chrome brass etc.
However even if you get it right, the final results leave much to be desired. I use my kit for "touch ups" and if I need a full plate job, send the case off to a plater here in Oz.
Offshore

Thanks for the voice of experience; guess I'll pass on the kit.
I haven't heard before from someone who owns one.

BTW, are you brushing or bathing parts, and which metal for plating?
Just curious.
:wink:

 

[Hambone]

You might want to try asking Rolli over at RWG. He just posted a Pam luminor that he had plated and it looks amazing.
The thread is quite informative on the subject of gold plating.

 

[Maxlove]

First off...thanks to everyone that has posted.

1. I too own a Caswell kit. I managed to gold plate a solid 18K white gold ring.Man does it look cheesy. I bought both 14K and 18K chemicals and thought that it wasn't worth the effort at all. I am not trying to find a way to get it back to white gold.

2. Artisan. A number of people have referred me to them but one phone call and they told me that they no longer do watch parts. I was broken up over this.

3. Offshore, I will PM you when I get the watch back to see if I can facilitate the plating through you perhaps. Providing it is OK with you of course.

4. D4M What do you think the chances would be to order a watch and having it plated with 20 microns of Rose gold before it was assembled?

5. How many of us would buy solid gold colored watches if we could get the right color without hassle? I know I would even pay more. Greenish gold or really yellowy gold doesn't cut it for me and I have heard many people mention this over the years.

Thanks again everyone keep the comments coming as it has been very informative indeed.

It sounds like some modder ought to really get in this business.

 

[RWIGWH]

Max, I can't tell you how many people I have tried to convince NOT to buy gold reps. Avoid like the plague! They become a worthless POS rather quickly. I think some of the rhodium (platinum) plated watches are very nice, and have a bit more staying power.
One thing to keep in mind, we are NOT buying jewelry here. This does not mean I don't like your idea's of trying alternative methods to come to some type of facsimile of a decent looking plated watch. Just that in the end, not only are you wearing a fake watch...
Yeah.

 

[Maxlove]

Max, I can't tell you how many people I have tried to convince NOT to buy gold reps. Avoid like the plague! They become a worthless POS rather quickly. I think some of the rhodium (platinum) plated watches are very nice, and have a bit more staying power.
One thing to keep in mind, we are NOT buying jewelry here. This does not mean I don't like your idea's of trying alternative methods to come to some type of facsimile of a decent looking plated watch. Just that in the end, not only are you wearing a fake watch...
Yeah.

Hey Z, Normally I totally agree with you but I bought an inexpensive Zenith that was rose gold and it was really perfect, the one in the photo I sent you and would post here if I knew how. I'm working on it.

I should have never sold my Gen day dates but sometimes one needs the duckets to live. The one that is killing me is my Gen All Gold Daytona that I had for a few weeks and sold. It had a White face, I should have kept that watch and now I am trying to get some of that back by using plating as a different type of mod.

Anyone else...I need your expert advice. Thanks!

Those of you with gold TT's or solid from Watchmaster9....How do they stack up?

 

[offshore]

Max,
I have a Caswell kit, it is a bit "iffy" in final quality.
The big trick is to positively identify what you are plating. IE S/S, chrome brass etc.
However even if you get it right, the final results leave much to be desired. I use my kit for "touch ups" and if I need a full plate job, send the case off to a plater here in Oz.
Offshore

Thanks for the voice of experience; guess I'll pass on the kit.
I haven't heard before from someone who owns one.

BTW, are you brushing or bathing parts, and which metal for plating?
Just curious.
:wink:

BF,
I am brushing mainly, although have tried setting up a small bath.
I really find the kit is better used for touch ups, although you need to put in some serious time to get acceptable results ( color match- fill- and even a good level of adherence)
As I said, with the cost of professional plating @ $70-$100 (including stripping back old plate), you really need to only be doing cosmetic work with those kits.
Unless of course you have unlimited time, and its your own project....then , go for it my son!
However I have more work than I need, so off to the pros when it gets even close to "To Hard"
Have had a chat with max, and hope we may be able to facilitate a positive result.
Offshore