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.
Pure 24 Karat Gold,
Plated Over a Flawless Base
Plated Over a Flawless Base
Bright and satin 24k gold for fixtures, casino trim, ceremonial pieces and fine hardware, plus functional gold for electrical contacts. Every job gets a proper nickel barrier, careful buffing and a final color check.
Certified, Approved and Verified
Gold 24k Plating
Real Gold, Only as Good as What Lies Beneath
Twenty four karat gold is gold in its purest form. It has the deep, warm yellow people picture when they think of gold, it never tarnishes and it does not react with skin, water or air. Plating puts a layer of that same metal over a less costly base, so a faucet, a slot machine bezel or a chalice can carry the look and the lasting color of solid gold.
What most people never see is the work under the gold. A gold layer is thin and perfectly honest: every scratch, pit and polishing line in the base metal shows straight through it. That is why our gold jobs begin with stripping, repair and buffing, followed by a bright nickel layer that gives the gold a smooth, mirror base and keeps the metal beneath from slowly migrating up into the gold and dulling it.
Gold is also chosen for function. It conducts reliably, solders cleanly and resists corrosion better than any other plated metal, which is why it appears on contacts, connectors and terminals where a failed connection is not an option. Those parts are plated to the thickness you specify rather than judged by shine alone.
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
From a single heirloom to a full casino floor of trim, these are the gold processes we run in house, each one matched to how the piece will be handled and seen.
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
Gold rewards patience. Every piece moves through the same five steps, whether it is one heirloom or a production order.
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
Mail your parts with the quote number, or bring them by our shop in Oceanside during business hours.
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
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
Casino resorts, designers, churches and engineers each ask something different of gold, and we plate it to meet every one of them.
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
Know the Price First
See the price before you ship a thing.
Snap a few photos from different angles and tell us the finish you have in mind. You'll get a written quote and a realistic lead time. Standard work takes 3 to 5 weeks, and expedited orders are possible when the schedule allows.
Gold Care
Gold Never Tarnishes, But It Can Wear
Pure gold does not oxidize, so a properly plated piece keeps its color for as long as the gold is there. The real enemy is friction. Gold is a soft metal, and every rub of a polishing cloth, abrasive sponge or harsh cleaner removes a microscopic amount. On a thin layer that adds up faster than most people expect.
The safest routine is also the simplest. Rinse or wipe with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap, then dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Never use metal polish, jewelry dip, bleach, vinegar or scouring powder on gold plating, and keep drain cleaners and hard water removers away from gold faucets.
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
Casino operators, designers, parishes and collectors in every state send us pieces for gold plating. Follow these steps to get yours here safely.
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
Gold plating for San Diego County and beyond
Drop off your gold project in person from Carlsbad, Vista, La Jolla, Temecula, Chula Vista or anywhere nearby. Farther away? Shipped pieces arrive at our door from every state.
Cities We Serve
Choose your city for gold plating lead times and drop off details in your area.
North County San Diego
City of San Diego and South Bay
San Diego
Chula Vista
National City
Imperial Beach
Coronado
La Mesa
El Cajon
Santee
La Jolla
Otay Mesa
Riverside and Orange County
Gold Plating Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what customers ask most before sending pieces for gold. Have a different question? Call the shop or send us a message.
Cost depends on three things: the preparation the piece needs, its size and quantity, and how thick the gold will be. Because gold is a precious metal, a heavy deposit costs more than a flash. Send photos and we will return a written quote within 24 business hours.
Yes. We plate with pure 24 karat gold, the same metal as a solid gold bar, applied as a thin layer over a prepared base. It is not paint, powder or a gold colored lacquer.
It depends on thickness and handling. A gold flash on a display piece can look new for many years, while a faucet handle used daily needs a heavier deposit, and possibly a clear topcoat, to hold up. We recommend a thickness based on how the piece is used.
Pure gold does not tarnish. Dark spots or a dull color usually mean the base metal is coming through worn areas or that no barrier layer was used. Our nickel barrier helps prevent that.
Nickel creates a bright, smooth base that makes the gold look deeper, and it acts as a barrier so copper and zinc from brass or other base metals cannot slowly migrate into the gold and discolor it.
Yes. Stainless steel receives an activating nickel strike so the gold bonds properly. Pot metal and zinc die cast get a gentle copper strike and careful buffing before nickel and gold.
Yes. If your drawing calls out a gold plating specification or a minimum thickness, send it with your request and we will review it and confirm before quoting.
Yes. Get a quote first, wrap each item separately with plenty of padding, insure the package for its full value and email us the tracking number. We plate, inspect and return your pieces insured.