I recall some folks asking about electro-plating and I decided to do some on my Colt Mark IV Series 70 Nickel 45acp as an experiment. Now I didn't want to go crazy, just accent some parts to see if it came out nice. Parts that are readily available in case I fubared them. So I bought a Casswell Gold Plating Kit and off I go.

One other note.. This gun use to be my service weapon, circa 1982... so the finish is not perfect but not bad.

 

First, I started with the easiest parts to remove and the ones that would add a little touch. I won't go into prep too much but the parts need to be clean and buffed as best as possible. Note that this will not refinish your gun by filling in scratches and such. By all means, also wear rubber gloves unless you want your hands to look like they have yellow jaundice.

 

These are the parts I decided to work with... The grip screws, bushing, mag(bottom of floor plate only), slide release...

All these parts on this gun are nickel plated, polished and or satin finished.

 

Here is the setup...

 

They recommend a very good cleaning and polishing. So a Dremel with a polish wheel works fine.

 

For more prep info see their site. They also have videos. You have to soak the wand in the gold solution. Here I have it soaking in the main jar.

DO NOT do this after the first time. Use another container or dish because you can contaminate the main solution.

 

Here is the wand attached to the power transformer and 2 screws after I coated them. You can see a little gold in the picture but it's better than this shot in life.

The more you treat the part, the deeper the gold gets. I did not want a dark deep color so maintained a 10K-14K look for lack of a better word.

 

Here are the screws back in with the grip assembled.. The emblem was already gold.

 

Here is a better shot of the screws, slide release and you can also see I dabbed the mag release button with a little. Not a good idea because any liquid drip will adhere to parts you don't want to plate.

 

Here is a shot of the front of the barrel bushing and recoil spring plug. Only surfaces and visible edges were done.

 

Another shot but a bit blurry, but you get the idea.

 

So there ya have it. I have to say that the finished product once assembled and wiped down look great. These pictures do not do it justice.

In the future, when I get in the mood to rip the gun apart more, I might try a few more parts like the hammer and such.

With this kit, parts can either be plated using the wand method or if you are doing a whole part, you can dip it in the whole solution. See Caswell site for details.

Hope this helps someone. Any questions, feel free to ask.

cant see pics dont know if its just me

I can't either

I can't see them either.

 

 

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Pix didn't come through but should be ok now. Let me know. Had to use a different host.

Working now.

Thanks Nick...

 

Working now.

Bling bling.

Hawt

Pretty cool.

 

 

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PS: forgot to mention, footplate of mag didn't come out to good. For whatever reason, either it was too worn or the gold just wouldn't adhere. There is just a light tint on the bottom. So I didn't take a pic of it.

 

 

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That...is fabulous.

 

I would so do this if I had a pistol.

So do your rifle...

Caveat is there are separate kits for different types of metals and of course the finish can't be duracoated or anything. The gold kit does nickel, copper and one other, I forget. Thought about doing a bullet but didn't feel comfy throwing voltage through a live round. Only have live rounds.

 

That...is fabulous.

 

I would so do this if I had a pistol.

 

 

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I'd do a rifle, but I only have antiques and I don't want to ruin the finish on them.

 

If I ever manage to get a bolt action .22, I'll probably do it to that. Cheap enough I can play with it and not feel bad if it gets messed up.

That's why I started out with parts I can easily replace if they mess up... I'm just learning this technique so taking it slow.

 

I'd do a rifle, but I only have antiques and I don't want to ruin the finish on them.

 

If I ever manage to get a bolt action .22, I'll probably do it to that. Cheap enough I can play with it and not feel bad if it gets messed up.

 

 

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Would nickel give it a chrome look?

Pretty similar to chrome

So do your rifle...

Caveat is there are separate kits for different types of metals and of course the finish can't be duracoated or anything. The gold kit does nickel, copper and one other, I forget. Thought about doing a bullet but didn't feel comfy throwing voltage through a live round. Only have live rounds.

 

 

 

 

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Pull the bullet out with plyers and dump out the powder and primer

Actually, spoke to the plating tech today. I have something else I will try to do. I think fellow bikers may get a kick out of it... Have to do some more research first and I need a different kit.

 

 

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Nice, I might do this someday when I buy a glock.

Actually, spoke to the plating tech today. I have something else I will try to do. I think fellow bikers may get a kick out of it... Have to do some more research first and I need a different kit.

 

 

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Ok, leave us hanging dude... Lol

 

 

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Gotta make sure I can pull it off first. Don't want to mess up my fav piece.

Stay tuned...

 

 

Ok, leave us hanging dude... Lol

 

 

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You only plated easily replaceable parts? Those barrel bushings are impossible to find!

 

Nice 1911. My dad has one two years newer and blued and it is definitely my favorite gun.

Brownell has bushings... http://www.brownells.com/items/1911-barrel-bushing.aspx

I've seen them elsewhere online too.

Anyway, figure worse case scenario, I'd send it back to Colt and have it over-hauled..

 

You only plated easily replaceable parts? Those barrel bushings are impossible to find!

 

Nice 1911. My dad has one two years newer and blued and it is definitely my favorite gun.

Well Done!, Wish i knew you before i got my wife her wedding ring. Would have saved thousands LOL

LMAO... while I sat there doing the plating, Giggling, I thought the same thing. But then I back peddled my devious thought and realized the diamond was the major cost of the ring which is most important to most women.

 

Well Done!, Wish i knew you before i got my wife her wedding ring. Would have saved thousands LOL

Now all you need a gold plated Krink.

You could do a sweet Ak with gold accents.

Well Done!, Wish i knew you before i got my wife her wedding ring. Would have saved thousands LOL

 

Let me guess, she doesn't visit the forum.

 

 

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You could do a sweet Ak with gold accents.

 

YESSS!