Plating Magic exclusively uses the electroplating process which uses the brush plating method, solutions and equipment. As its name suggests, brush plating is a way to electroplate using a brush and wand which avoids the need for a tank, as was the case some years ago (and still used by large industrial firms). Electroplating was mostly been done in a tank or a large vat and proved cumbersome especially in premises where space was limited.

Brush plating (or selective plating) is called this because the solutions are applied using a ‘wand or anode’ and an absorbent swab-like implement. This negates the use of a large tank to plate smaller items.

Some of the equipment we use.

Brush plating uses different, more concentrated solutions and gives a faster build up of finish to create perfect results time after time. Gold, Silver and other finishes are possible using this method. The electroplating equipment we use is light weight and very portable, enabling us to electroplate even the most difficult areas with ease. We offer an in-house or mobile service so are totally flexible to our customers requirements.

We can also plate small intricate areas of jewellery and even printed circuit boards - this is due to the unique non-corrosive formulation of the solutions. Items such as car emblems can be copper, nickel, chrome, silver or gold plated and can be worked on in situ without affecting the surrounding paintwork or having to remove parts. Larger items like car bumpers are best suited to tank plating, not brush plating, so therefore we can't accommodate them.

The process

Our gold plating and silver plating solutions are hard-wearing and tarnish resistant. The solutions are probably the most user-friendly on the market. The company that supply us have researched and developed a plating solution designed exclusively for brush plating systems and have refined their process over 11 years.

For instance, the gold solution has been tested to prove it lasts 8 times longer than the nearest competitor's product - some result, and clearly shows that you don't have to pay over the odds for the best quality materials. They are now acknowledged as certainly one of the very best producers of chemicals for the electroplating industry and we are delighted to be associated with them.

Can be generally be plated

	Good condition items are always preferable as plating on to poor finishes will only make the item look worse.
	Stainless steel that is shiny, such as exhausts, vehicle emblems and badges etc, these can be silver, chrome or gold plated and look amazing. Same applies to a motorcycle parts. Stainless steel boat items are especially good to plate and look fantastic.
	Previously chromed metals can be plated again or plated in gold. Plastics on phones etc can now be plated.
	Gold plated items can be re-quilted, and made to look as new again, but if it's tarnished, it may not recover.

 

Cannot be generally plated

 

	Alloys cannot in general but in some cases it is possible but very time consuming.
	Cast metal items cannot be plated due to the rough texture.
	Poor quality, rusty, pitted or badly tarnished metals.
	Wood, leather etc. Please note - we do not chrome plate items any more.   Chromed items have to be stripped before gold plating can go ahead. After being plated (see gallery for more examples)

For a full list of our services please see here.