What is a 'Gold Strike' and why is it important when plating over stainless and non-stainless steels?
‘Gold Strike’ refers to specialised plating solutions designed to prime the surface of challenging substrates, such as stainless steel, making subsequent tank plating more effective and reliable.
Jewellers often encounter difficulties when tank plating over stainless steel, with frequent reports of the plated finish peeling or flaking. These problems lead to dissatisfaction and frustration with both the plating process and its results.
While a combination of factors may contribute to plating defects—such as the use of incorrect anodes—one of the most prevalent issues is the omission of a gold strike flash layer prior to applying the final finish e.g. rhodium, 24k gold, rose gold etc. Without this crucial step, the plating process becomes unreliable and yields poor results.
Once the correct procedures are implemented, including the application of a gold strike, the plating process becomes straightforward and consistently produces high-quality finishes. Investing in a bottle of G.S.P 18K Gold Plating Solution is recommended when plating over steels; only a thin layer is needed to effectively prime the surface and achieve excellent results.
It is important to note that the use of G.S.P Stainless Steel Activator is also necessary when plating over any type of steel to ensure optimal performance and adhesion.
What is 'flash layer'?
A flash layer is a very thin layer of plating. In the case of using our 18K Gold Solution to enable the plating of stainless and non-stainless steels, you need only deposit a very thin layer to achieve complete adhesion of any subsequent plate. This means that you are only using a very small amount of 18K Gold per application.
Can I use this 18K Gold Plating Solution as a stand-alone finish rather than as a 'Gold Strike' when plating over steels?
Yes. In this circumstance, rather than plating a thin 'flash' layer, you can deposit 0.5 - 1 micron of the 18K Gold Solution over steel surfaces for a hardwearing finish or several microns e.g. 2.5 microns (vermeil thickness) for a premium plated thickness.*
* Please note that when plating over non-stainless steel, we advise a flash layer of 18K Gold followed by a heavy plate in nickel beore plating your final finish.
Do you provide instructions on how to use this 18K Gold Solution as part of the process of tank plating over steels?
Successfully plating over stainless or non-stainless steels generally requires the use of several solutions. The process is not difficult and we can provide instructions on the process with your purchase of the necessary solutions. There is more information about how to plate various metals and the steps to take here: How to Plate Different Metals. If you need any advice or are unsure of the products you need, please contact us prior to purchase.
I don't want to plate over steels, I just want a normal 18K Gold finish, is this the right solution?
Yes, the dual function of this solution to act as a priming layer for plating over steels does not detract from its function as a regular 18K Gold Plating Solution. It produces a lovely light golden tone and can be plated over many other metals as a high quality, stand-alone finish. This is one of our most popular plating solutions for jewellers and is used for much more than just priming steels.
How thick can this solution be plated?
This 18K Gold Plating Solution can be plated to 10+ microns. Most commonly, jewellery is plated to somewhere between 0.5 and 2.5 microns. A thickness of 2.5 microns or more over sterling silver is called vermeil plating and is classed as a premium thickness.
