Gold Metallic Paint

[Markshan]

So I just got a Yamaha motion B-III that is in wonderful condition except all of the gold medal hardware seems to have tarnished badly and lost most of its finish. Worst of all is the knobs, but really all of the metal parts have various levels of degradation.

You can just sort of see a little bit of the gold plate at the very bottom of the knobs. Everything else is completely wore off and the knobs look horrible. Of course new gold-plated knobs are a pretty quick and easy solution for that, but as I said all of the parts have various levels.

You can see that there are spots at the bottom of the saddles where the goldfish is still there but that it has totally worn off of 90% of the bridge.

The Yamaha gold stickers on the back of the tuners look great as do the screws.

I did the last picture without flash because the flash was washing out what was left of the finish somewhat.

So my question is has anyone here tried one of the metallic gold spray paints? If so what were your experiences and do you have a particular brand and line that you especially like?

 

[T_Bone_TL]

I'd be dubious of paint (staying put long term) in the application. Titanium Nitride Coating might be a thing to investigate - gold-colored, but a lot harder than gold plating, corrosion resistant, etc... You've likely seen it on drill bits.

 

[Killing Floor]

Plating≠Painting

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I'd be dubious of paint (staying put long term) in the application. Titanium Nitride Coating might be a thing to investigate - gold-colored, but a lot harder than gold plating, corrosion resistant, etc... You've likely seen it on drill bits.

Ooo, that’s cool. I usually don’t like gold hardware, my headless Bunker bass not withstanding, but I’d look at titanium nitride plated hardware.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Ooo, that’s cool. I usually don’t like gold hardware, my headless Bunker bass not withstanding, but I’d look at titanium nitride plated hardware.

I think it's technically "sputtered" (vapor deposited under vacuum) rather than plated, but the effect is the same, pretty much.

 

[Markshan]

I was wondering about powder coating. I've never heard of this. I do wonder how expensive it is.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

This place claims to have done tiny end mills for $2.00 each, but no idea what volume that represents. TiN Coating | Titanium Nitride Coating | Surface Solutions

Elsewhere I've looked it's all "contact us for a quote" and one doesn't know if they even take small jobs until they respond, if they do, much less how much the cost might be.

Evidently the parts need to be OK going to 800°F/425°C for the coating process.

 

[Markshan]

This place claims to have done tiny end mills for $2.00 each, but no idea what volume that represents. TiN Coating | Titanium Nitride Coating | Surface Solutions

Elsewhere I've looked it's all "contact us for a quote" and one doesn't know if they even take small jobs until they respond, if they do, much less how much the cost might be.

Evidently the parts need to be OK going to 800°F/425°C for the coating process.

I have no idea what temp this material is safe to. I live in the Steel City, I should be able to find someone local. The question is if they will want to bother with such a small job.

 

[Markshan]

Plating≠Painting

Understood, but it may be all that's in my budget. I may try just painting the knobs first and see how that goes. Getting similar ones in gold would be fairly easy. The other parts not as much.

 

[Killing Floor]

Understood, but it may be all that's in my budget. I may try just painting the knobs first and see how that goes. Getting similar ones in gold would be fairly easy. The other parts not as much.

If you do paint try sanding the smooth parts so there is some texture to adhere to and clear coat over top.

 

[Markshan]

If you do paint try sanding the smooth parts so there is some texture to adhere to and clear coat over top.

I'm going to see if I can find a shop to do it properly and affordably first. I'll post an update... sometime. SBO is coming up so this may be back burnered.