Bright 24k Gold
A mirror polished base topped with pure gold for a rich, reflective finish. The classic choice for luxury bath fixtures, lighting and display pieces.
A Carefully Prepared 24K Gold Surface for Palm Desert Components
Decorative Metal Coatings provides pure 24 karat gold electroplating for suitable metal components from Palm Desert, California. The requested look may be bright polished or satin, with deposit selection reviewed against the base metal, surface condition and intended use.
Certified, Approved and Verified
Surface condition shapes the final 24K appearance for Palm Desert Projects
Preparation Comes Before the Gold Layer for Palm Desert
Pure gold offers a distinctive warm color, while the plated layer remains relatively soft. The part’s shape, substrate, intended handling and desired appearance all matter when selecting a suitable process.
DMC reviews the base metal and existing finish before deciding how to prepare a part. Old plating may need to be stripped, surface defects addressed and the component buffed to establish the required foundation.
Decorative gold and functional gold should not be treated as interchangeable. Electrical contacts and connectors need their own specification review, including the intended application and required deposit details.
Tell us what the piece is, how it will be used and how much handling it will see. We will recommend a gold thickness that fits the job and your budget, explain the preparation involved and send a written quote.
What We Do
Gold 24k Plating Services
Available options include bright polished and satin 24K gold, gold flash, standard decorative and heavy deposits, two-tone accents, selective plating and functional gold for suitable contacts and connectors.
Satin 24k Gold
The base is brushed to a fine, even grain before gold goes on, giving a soft glow with less glare. Popular for modern hardware and interior trim.
Heavy Gold Deposit
A thicker layer of gold built up for pieces that are touched every day, such as handles, rails and ceremonial items. More gold means a much longer life.
Gold Flash
A thin, economical gold layer for decorative items that are rarely handled, or as a color coat over nickel. Ideal for awards, ornaments and display trim.
Two Tone Gold Accents
Selected areas are masked and plated in gold while the rest stays nickel or chrome. Raised lettering, logos and edges stand out with real gold highlights.
Functional Gold
Gold for conductivity, solderability and corrosion resistance on contacts, terminals and connector parts, plated to the thickness called for on your drawing.
How It Works
Our Gold Plating Process
The project sequence includes sharing part details, receiving a written quote, shipping or arranging drop-off, preparing the surface and nickel barrier, then applying the gold and inspecting the finish.
1
Share the Details
Send photos, tell us what the piece is and how often it will be handled, and name the gold look you have in mind.
2
Receive a Written Quote
We confirm the base metal, recommend a gold thickness and reply with a quote within 24 business hours.
3
Ship or Drop Off
Once the quote is approved, ship the parts with the quote number or arrange a drop-off at the Oceanside facility during business hours. Protect each item separately and follow DMC packing and insurance guidance.
4
Prepare and Build the Base
Old finishes are stripped, flaws repaired, and the surface buffed and plated in nickel as a smooth barrier.
5
Plate in Gold and Inspect
Pure 24k gold goes on, then every piece is checked for color, coverage and blemishes before careful packing.
Choosing the Right Gold
How Much Gold Does Your Part Need?
The color of 24k gold is the same at every thickness. What changes is how long it lasts under hands, cleaning and wear, so the right choice depends on how the piece will live.
Gold Flash
- Thin color layer over nickel
- Lowest cost per piece
- Awards, ornaments and display trim
- Best where hands rarely touch
- Judged by color and coverage
Heavy Decorative Gold
- Thicker deposit that lasts for years
- Faucets, handles and bar fittings
- Casino trim and ceremonial pieces
- Holds up to regular cleaning
- Judged by color and lifespan
Functional Gold
- Plated to a set thickness
- Low contact resistance
- Clean, reliable solder joints
- Contacts, pins and terminals
- Judged by spec and coverage
Restoration Results
Before and After
Slide the handle across each photo to compare the piece on arrival with the same piece after gold plating.
Before
Luxury Bath Faucet
Worn gold tone finish rubbed through to brass at the handles. Stripped, polished, nickel plated and finished in heavy bright 24k gold to match the rest of the suite.
BRIGHT 24K
BRASS
HEAVY GOLD
Before
Casino Slot Machine Trim
Faded, scratched trim from a gaming floor refresh. Repaired, buffed to a mirror and plated in 24k gold so every machine in the bank glows with the same warm color.
BRIGHT 24K
ZINC DIE CAST
SET MATCH
Before
Ceremonial Chalice
Dark, worn plating on a decades old chalice. Stripped by hand to protect the engraving, rebuilt in nickel and finished in 24k gold with a bright rim and satin body.
24K GOLD
STERLING SILVER
TWO FINISHES
Since 1989
Over three decades of plating, one shop in Oceanside.
Every part is stripped, prepped, plated and inspected in our own building, and our work comes with a 12 month workmanship guarantee. Send photos and we'll take it from there.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by Professionals
From custom builders to industrial manufacturers, our clients trust us to deliver the same result every time.
Who We Serve
Where Our Gold Shines
DMC describes gold applications for casino and gaming trim, luxury bath and kitchen fixtures, lighting, interior design, ceremonial and religious pieces, hotel and restaurant hardware, yacht interiors and electronics connectors.
Casinos and Gaming
Slot machine bezels, button rings, table rails and signage plated in 24k gold that stays bright under constant lights and constant hands. Many of the casino resorts around North County San Diego trust us with their gold work.
Luxury Bath and Kitchen
Faucets, shower trim, towel bars and sink drains finished in gold that will not tarnish or react to water.
Lighting and Interior Design
Chandeliers, sconces, mirror frames and furniture hardware plated to a designer's sample.
Ceremonial and Religious Pieces
Chalices, candlesticks, crosses and altar pieces restored with care and finished in pure gold.
Hotels, Restaurants and Yachts
Door hardware, bar fittings and fixtures that set the tone in hotel lobbies, dining rooms and yacht interiors.
Electronics and Connectors
Contacts, pins and terminals gold plated for low resistance and long term corrosion protection.
35+
Years of Expertise
Take a Moment to Learn More
About Decorative Metal Coatings
Since 1989 our shop has handled the pieces people care about most. Gold is where that care shows: the preparation underneath decides whether a gold finish looks priceless or ordinary.
Free Estimates Available
Email a photo of your piece and get a no obligation gold quote within 24 hours.
Quality Guaranteed
Every gold job is backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If something is not right, we make it right.
Ship From Anywhere in the US
One keepsake or a casino wide refresh, shipped from any state and returned fully insured.
Fast Turnaround Times
Most gold projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited Orders: 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
What We Can Finish
Metals We Plate in Gold
Gold will not bond well, or last, on a bare base metal. Each material gets its own cleaning routine and the right underlayers before the gold goes on.
Brass and Bronze
The most popular base for gold. A nickel barrier is plated first so the zinc and copper in the brass cannot creep into the gold and turn it dull over time.
Sterling Silver
Gold over sterling silver, known as vermeil, is a favorite for ceremonial and heirloom pieces. Engraving and fine detail are protected throughout prep.
Copper
Takes gold beautifully once cleaned and given a nickel layer. Solid copper parts and copper plated parts are both welcome.
Zinc Die Cast and Pot Metal
Common in casino trim and decorative hardware. It needs a gentle copper strike and careful buffing before nickel and gold, slow work that pays off in a finish that lasts.
Steel and Stainless Steel
Steel is copper and nickel plated before gold. Stainless gets an activating nickel strike first, so the gold bonds firmly instead of flaking.
Aluminum and Other Alloys
Aluminum needs a zincate pretreatment and several layers before gold, and other alloys are reviewed one at a time. Send a photo and we will confirm first.
Gold Plating Catalog
Gold Finishes and Services
A complete list of the gold finishes, thicknesses and supporting services handled under one roof.
Decorative 24k Gold
- Bright 24k Gold
- Mirror Polished Gold
- Satin 24k Gold
- Brushed Gold
- Two Tone Gold and Nickel
- Gold Accents over Chrome
- Clear Protective Topcoat
Thickness and Functional
- Gold Flash
- Standard Decorative Gold
- Heavy Gold Deposit
- Gold for Electrical Contacts
- Solderable Gold
- Selective Gold Plating
Base Metals and Prep
- Brass and Bronze
- Copper
- Sterling Silver (Vermeil)
- Steel and Stainless Steel
- Zinc Die Cast
- Nickel Barrier Layer
- Stripping and Replating
- Custom Sample Match
Our Commitment
Gold Plated Without Shortcuts
Gold is too valuable, and too revealing, to rush. These are the standards every gold job meets before it leaves our shop.
Nickel Barrier Always
Decorative gold always goes over a nickel layer, which keeps the base metal from bleeding through and dulling the color.
Flawless Before Gold
Pieces are buffed until the surface is clean and even, because gold magnifies every flaw left behind.
Even Color, Every Piece
Sets are plated together and checked side by side, so a bank of slot trim or a full bath suite matches.
Gloved Handling
Finished gold is handled with gloves, wrapped piece by piece and packed so no fingerprint or scratch reaches you.
What We Do Differently
- We recommend a gold thickness based on real use
- Every decorative job gets a nickel barrier
- Worn plating is fully stripped before replating
- Matching sets are plated and inspected together
- We send photos when a piece needs your approval
What You May Experience Elsewhere
- Gold plated straight onto brass with no barrier
- A thin flash sold for pieces handled every day
- Gold colored lacquer passed off as plating
- Scratches and pits left visible under the gold
- Mismatched color across a set of fixtures
Protect the Appearance of Your Gold Finish
Avoid Polishing Compounds on Plated Gold
Pure gold does not tarnish, but plated gold can wear away through friction because it is a soft metal. Clean with warm water and mild dish soap, then dry with a soft microfiber cloth.
Avoid metal polish, jewelry dips, bleach, vinegar, scouring powders and abrasive pads. For frequently handled pieces, ask DMC whether a clear protective topcoat is suitable. If the base metal begins to show through, replating may be needed.
For high touch items like door levers and faucet handles, we can add a clear protective topcoat over the gold. It takes the daily wear instead of the gold and can be renewed later without replating.
When the base metal starts to peek through on edges or handles, do not try to polish it out. Send the piece back and we will strip the remaining gold, refresh the nickel and replate it to match the rest of your set.
Project Gallery
Gold Plating Gallery
Pure 24k gold over a flawless base on faucets, slot machine trim, lighting and ceremonial pieces, plus functional gold for electronics.
Nationwide Service
Ship Us Your Parts From Anywhere in the US
DMC processes gold plating at its Oceanside, California facility and accepts eligible projects shipped from any U.S. state after quote review and approval. Obtain a quote number before shipping, wrap each item separately with adequate padding, insure the shipment for its full value and send the tracking number.
01
Get your quote number first
Email photos of each piece along with the gold finish you want. We reply with a written quote and lead time, often the same business day. Please do not ship until you have a quote number.
02
Protect fine details
Wrap each item separately in soft paper or bubble wrap so nothing rubs, and surround it with at least three inches of padding. Engraved and delicate pieces should travel double boxed.
03
Insure and send tracking
Declare the full value with your carrier, including the value of any heirloom, and email us the tracking number so your shipment is logged the day it arrives.
04
Approved, packed and returned
Once the gold work is complete we photograph the finished pieces for your approval, then pack them in new materials and ship them back insured.
Visit Us
Our Location
Every gold job is prepared, plated and inspected in our own facility in North County San Diego.
Decorative Metal Coatings
Gold, nickel, copper, chrome and metal finishing in San Diego County since 1989.
- Address 2613 Temple Heights Dr, Ste G, Oceanside, CA 92056
- Phone (760) 746 3378
- Quotes Send photos and get a price
Business Hours
- Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday Closed
Remote Quotes and Shipping to Oceanside
Gold plating requests from Palm Desert are reviewed and processed at DMC’s facility in Oceanside, California. Customers can request a quote remotely and, after approval and receipt of a quote number, ship eligible parts or arrange a drop-off.
Nearby Cities We Serve
Explore DMC service information for other California communities. The links below use cities from the supplied California master list.
24K Gold Plating: Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Review these practical answers about gold finish choices, surface preparation, deposit selection, care and sending components to DMC.
The nickel barrier provides a smooth foundation under decorative gold and helps prevent copper or zinc from migrating into the gold layer and changing its color.
Yes. Two-tone accents and selective plating are listed options, subject to review of the part, design and areas that need to remain unplated.
Yes. Handling, friction and wear help determine which deposit options should be considered. Share the intended use when requesting a quote.
Functional gold is a distinct service option for suitable contacts and connectors. Provide the required drawing or deposit specification so the request can be evaluated.
Eligible projects may be shipped from any U.S. state after quote review and approval. Obtain a quote number and follow the shop’s packing and insurance guidance.
The shop is open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM. We're closed on Sunday. Shipments are received Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM Pacific.
Usually, yes. Send a photo of the piece you want to match, or ship it along with your parts as a sample. We adjust the finish until the new work sits right next to the old.
When the work is done and inspected, we pack your parts in fresh materials and ship them back insured. If you're close to Oceanside, you're welcome to pick them up instead.