remove gold plating ?

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by Linuxguile, May 6, 2016.

  1. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    Hi all, I know this question is probably not often asked. But if you wanted to remove the gold plating from a Gillette how would you do it ? I have a New Long comb with serious plate loss pretty much everywhere and I kinda like the copper/brass bare metal look. Any suggestions ?
     
  2. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    Brasso. It's aggressive. Proceed with caution. You might want to consider sealing it somehow afterwards. Word of warning. I am NOT an expert, so hopefully someone with more knowledge will respond as well.
     
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  3. Jorvaljr

    Jorvaljr Operation Daytona 8000

    Maas also seems to remove it as well. I polish my tech and I can see where the gold was thinning
     
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  4. NickMach007

    NickMach007 Member

    Are you going to replate with something?
     
  5. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    No, it will look something like this bare metal:
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Mbg75

    Mbg75 Well-Known Member

    I have a long comb that looks like that. It does not stay that shiny. You would have to lacquer it
     
  7. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    Maybe buffing it with renaissance wax would slow the tarnish
     
  8. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    It's very difficult getting into all the nooks and crannies. I tried, and failed, with a long comb. The best results were with abrasive polish and a toothbrush. If you do get it looking the way you want, you will need to lacquer it, asap. They tarnish fast.
    I ended up getting it nickel plated.
    Sport Shaving sure does a nice job with the two tone look.
     
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  9. NickMach007

    NickMach007 Member

    That's why I was asking. Like the others have said, if you aren't replating, you will need to find a way to protect the finish. I've heard some of the more powerful ultrasonic cleaners may help with removing damaged plating. Might be worth looking into, especially for the nooks and crannies.

    Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
     
  10. PLANofMAN

    PLANofMAN Eccentric Razor Collector Staff Member

    Moderator Article Team
    Oven cleaner will strip gold plating off. You got to keep an eye on it though, as it will darken the brass if left on too long.
     
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  11. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    Easy Off will not strip gold, but it will take off discolored lacquer. I learned this trick from a well know replater.
     
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  12. vmarks

    vmarks Active Member

    Mother's california gold metal polish. You'll have it clean, lickety-split.
     
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  13. Omaney

    Omaney Well-Known Member

    Ain't that pretty? Brasso, Mother's, any polish will eventually take off the very thin gold wash on an old Gillette. The problem is keeping it looking like this. Lacquer? Yeah, that works, but will either wear off or discolor over time. Try Deft Clear Wood Finish. It's the quickest, most volatile finish I know of. It's very, very difficult to get brush marks with it on a flat surface. Dipping a freshly polished razor? It'd probably last a year or two.
     
  14. vmarks

    vmarks Active Member

    They were originally coated with shellac to protect the gold.


    Sent from my mobile device
     
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  15. TitanTTB

    TitanTTB Well-Known Member

    Maas, Flitz or any mechanical metal polish + some elbow grease will do the trick. I don't like Brasso because it has ammonia. Like other have mentioned it will tarnish very quickly after a couple of shaves and can have a raw copper smell.
    I haven't tried lacquering a razor yet.
     
  16. blashe

    blashe Well-Known Member

    that's one sick looking razor,props
     
  17. BigMike

    BigMike Well-Known Member

    +1 for shellac. The natural polymer is disolved in alcohol; its low viscosity makes it perfect for dipping. Home Depot sells it in cans, clear or amber. You'd use the clear of course.
     
  18. BigMike

    BigMike Well-Known Member

    Some thoughts...
    A drop of mercury would attact and disolve the gold instantly. It might do the same to the brass, too, though. Gold is one of the least reactive elements so most chemicals will be ineffective.
    Since the gold was electrodeposited, a better solution might be to reverse the electrolysis process. A plating shop should know.
    A good antiques jeweler might have some ideas.
     
  19. vmarks

    vmarks Active Member

    I've done plating and reverse plating.

    Polishing by hand will work just as well. The gold is so thin it will come right off.
     
    BigMike likes this.
  20. BigMike

    BigMike Well-Known Member

    +1 for Mothers then.
     
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