Can You Gold Plate the Hardware on a Bag?

[LouiseyPeasey]

I'm kinda late to the discussion, but there is a kind of gold plating that does not involve vats - it's a semi-portable machine that uses a sort of "wand" to apply the gold - it's used a lot to gold-plate the silver decorative bits on cars without removing them - they mask the area around the thing to be plated to protect it, then rub the wand thingie over the part to be plated - it can be done in multiple layers to make it more durable. You might look for people that do custom treatments to cars and see if you can find someone that has one of these things?

The thing that would most worry me about removing the hardware then replacing it is if there's stitching involved - in my experience, unless the shop that is doing the work is very careful and experienced, the resulting stitching will not be attractive - it will be obvious that the bag has been restitched.

 

[just_me]

I will keep that in mind.. seems like I have to be all over the place today! *phew*

Also, when gold plating.. can I ask for different shades of gold? I gold plated rings before and then it came out this really shiny gold which I don't like.. if they mix brass with gold will that make it less shiny?

It's hard to explain but do you get what I mean? lol.

 

[ibimus]

Use sandpaper to buff up the surface, then paint on a couple of thin layers of gold leaf. Top it off with a sealant, and you're set!

 

[just_me]

What exactly is gold leaf? Care to explain.. is it hard getting a right shade of gold..

I went a few places yesterday.. most of them said no.. :/

 

[mellowdrama]

I've never seen liquid gold leaf. The gold leaf I have is like very thin sheets of paper in a little book. If you buy genuine 24k gold leaf, it will be a bright yellow gold. If you get imitation gold leaf, there's a better chance it will look the brassy shade you desire. The gold leaf I have looks like this picture here. I bought it at Flax in San Francisco:

http://www.verostko.com/pathway/gold-leaf-w.jpg

 

[mellowdrama]

Apparently there is liquid gold leaf, though, however. If you type in "gold leaf" on the search bar in the Flax link above, it shows the product ibimus mentions. It might be easier to get a smoother appearance with the liquid leaf rather than the traditional foil kind.

 

[Luna]

I've worked with liquid gold leaf before... chances are it will probably dull, chip, or fade...

but you might want to give it a test

 

[jun3machina]

yes, i dont think goldleaf would last....it's a sensitive thing and can rub off with wear....wow this one one interesting thread!

to dip the hardware, they'd most likely have to remove it and many hardware on bags is applied so it is not removable. they use heavy duty machines to rivet and put in place hardware such as rivets, plaques, studs and plates, and usually the removal of it makes it impossible to reconstruct. i think the best bet is that car detailing thinga-majig...

 

[just_me]

So apparantly it can't be done because the gold would not hold on that kind of steel. It's really sad for me I really wanted to have this done, I even fond someone that could remove the hardware.

 

[jun3machina]

hmm so im assuming perhaps it was brass plated steel or something then? i know some metals cant go over others too.....so maybe that was the issue. so sorry just_me

 

[mellowdrama]

So apparantly it can't be done because the gold would not hold on that kind of steel. It's really sad for me I really wanted to have this done, I even fond someone that could remove the hardware.

Well, you could always have molds of the hardware recast in brass using the lost-wax method...

 

[ibimus]

Gold leaf is great stuff, but you do have to shellac (coat it with a clear glaze. Shellac, or whatever you prefer.) to ensure it will last.

I'd suggest going with the liquid gold leaf. I've used it many times, and it has a good result. The liquid is a little bit darker and brassier than the sheets.

 

[just_me]

So what exactly is a liquid gold leaf? Where can I go to have it done? And given that it is for the hardware of a bag..will it look OK?

I don't think i will gold spray the hardware.

 

[ibimus]

Liquid gold leaf is just gold leaf, but in liquid form. It's a kind of paint.

http://www.misterart.com/store/view/003/group_id/3604/Amaco-Brush-n-Leaf-Exterior.htm

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=cp0228

Haven't had any experience with this one, but it looks interesting.
http://www.artsuppliesonline.com/catalog.cfm?cata_id=2471

http://www.artsuppliesonline.com/catalog.cfm?cata_id=2476

Anyway, liquid gold leaf is essentially a fancy, smelly paint. (it reeks beyond belief. Be sure to do this project outside!)
I think I mentioned it earlier, but I'll say it again: you will have to use sandpaper to rough up the hardware on your bag, otherwise the paint probably won't stick. (use a fine-grade sandpaper. You just need a little bit of texture.)

If you use a high quality brush, and leave a few brush strokes as possible, it should look fine! You could always try a test run on a junky bag first.

 

[just_me]

ok thanks! Will anyone do this.. I'm scared of doing it myself, then I don't have anyone else to blame..lol.