Gold Plating
Gold Plating Services
Doug Taylor Metal Finishing Co are a family-run business, established in 1981 by Doug Taylor himself, a keen chemist with a passion for Gold Plating.
There are now three generations of the Taylor family involved in the business.
All of our Gold Plating work is carried out to British Standards, and we incorporate additional inspection points at each element of the gold plating process to ensure that the end result provides the best possible finish that the metal part will allow.
Everything is checked whilst wrapped to ensure the item is of the highest quality before being sent out or collected. We will handle everything from single items to larger volumes, subject to required turnaround times.
How do I move forward?
We recommend firstly either emailing or using our contact form to send pictures of the job you are interested in having restored. Please include any additional information you may feel helpful i.e sizes, weight, finish required.
We will aim to get back to you as soon as possible with a budgetary estimate and timescale.
If you are happy to proceed, post the job into us along with your contact details and we will notify you on receipt. Or simply drop the job into us, where we can confirm all details.
When we have completed the job we will securely send all the items back to you.
Gold Plating Process
All of our Gold Plating work is carried out in house, using modern processing plant capable of providing the highest quality 22 carat equivalent gold plating services to meet the varied demands of both trade and private customers.
There are no extra charges for triple-plating, because the transformation process (strip – polish – copper – nickel – gold) is to British Standards, so is included within our pricing. This process naturally takes longer to undertake but ensures a good finish at every stage of the gold plating process.
It also allows us to undertake gold plating for sizes from household items right down to intricate items such as medals and rings, eliminating the chances of any single item being lost. We can handle single items up to combined maximum dimensions of 16in (41cm) long, 9in (23cm) wide and 10in (25cm) deep.
We are proud to retain to this day a traditional gold plating process where every item is hand-wired. Our manual process also achieves a thicker finish, ultimately improving the end quality and depth of the gold finish.
Components we can Gold Plate
The list is endless as to what we have gold plated in the past ranging from larger items – Candlesticks, Clocks and small Car Parts to the smaller items like Rings and Necklaces that the owners just wanted to give a new lease of life to.
We can do everything – If you are unsure whether you can plate your item, just give us a call and we can provide the answers. Below are examples of the types of components we have plated for customers.
This list is not exhaustive:
Decorative Items - Jewellery, Ornaments, Door Handles, Knockers, Letterboxes, Shower Plates, Shower Hoses, Taps, Bath Handles
Car Parts - Mascots, Badges, Light Bezels, and smaller detail parts like nuts & bolts
Motorcycles - Kickstart, Gear Lever, Brake Pedal, Brake Levers and smaller parts, like covers and detail parts
Other Items - Boat Parts, Memorabilia, Trophies, One-off Bespoke Items for Presentations
Is any Preparation Work needed by the Customer?
No, generally you can supply your item to us in its current condition and we will undertake all preparations (strip and polish) before undergoing the transformation process.
The only exception would be if we have to manually remove heavy paint layers or lacquers from the metal you send to us, in which case a small extra charge would apply to the stripping process.
All details of this will be included in the quotation we provide to you before commencing work.
Are there any items that are not suitable for Gold Plating?
Items that are made from Pewter or Stainless Steel cannot be gold-plated.
Accreditations / Industry Standards and Awards
All of our Electroplating processes adhere to the appropriate British Standards. We are members of the Federation of Small Businesses and approved contractors to Leonardo Helicopters (formerly Agusta Westland)
Turnaround time
- Please contact us to find out what our turnaround times are.
- If you require a quicker turnaround, please call us on 01934 820 454 to discuss your project and we can see if we can accommodate you.
- Please contact us and we will provide an all inclusive quote based on your requirements.
If you would like a quick quote, please fill in our enquiry form on the contact page or click on the orange enquiry form button. You can include an image of the item(s) that you wish to be plated and list any defects, rust, dents, holes and deep pitting and we will be able to provide an accurate quote within 24 hours.
How long does gold plating last?
Because every item is hand-wired and plated through our full copper, nickel then gold process, the finish is thicker and more durable than a single flash coat. How long it lasts depends on the base metal, how the item is handled and how it is cared for, so we assess each piece before advising.
Will gold plating tarnish?
A properly prepared gold plated finish resists tarnishing well. Regular gentle cleaning and avoiding harsh chemicals will keep it looking its best for as long as possible.
What is the difference between gold plating and solid gold?
Gold plating deposits a layer of gold over a prepared base metal, giving the appearance and finish of gold at a fraction of the cost of a solid gold item. It is ideal for restoring jewellery, ornaments and car parts to a high quality gold finish.
How much does gold plating cost?
Cost depends on the size of the item, the condition of the base metal and the preparation required. Send us a photo and details through the enquiry form and we will provide an accurate quote, usually within 24 hours.
Gold Plating Near You, Wherever You Are in the UK
Most of the work in our tanks arrived by courier. There is no need to live near Weston-super-Mare to use us, and the great majority of our customers do not.
Wrap each item separately, pad any machined or threaded faces, and pack with room on all sides. Use an insured, tracked service; we return your items the same way and the cost is included in your quote. If you are local to Weston-super-Mare, Bristol, Bath or Taunton you can drop items in between 08:30 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.
Our only premises where work gets undertaken is in Weston-super-Mare, which is the point: every stage happens under one roof, by the same people, to the same standard, whichever part of the country your item came from.
Get in touch
Give your treasured items a new gleaming look, call us on 01934 820 454 or email us to discuss your project.