Question 1

How much does gold plating cost?

Accepted Answer

Our minimum service fee is $500 per order, and pricing runs $100 per square inch of plated surface. Every job is quoted individually after we review photos of your item — send a picture and we'll confirm a firm price, usually within one business day.

Didn't find your answer? Contact us — we respond to every question within one business day.

Question 2

How do I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Send us a photo. Use the quote form on this site, WhatsApp, or text a picture of your item to (760) 458-3299 with a rough size and quantity, and we'll respond with a firm quote — no drop-off required to get started.

Question 3

How long does gold plating take?

Accepted Answer

Most single items are completed in days, not weeks. Production runs are scheduled to your deadline, and rush service is available. Turnaround is confirmed with your quote so there are no surprises.

Question 4

Do you handle bulk or production runs?

Accepted Answer

Yes — high-volume capacity is one of our core strengths. We plate production quantities for electronics, medical, and industrial clients, not just one-off pieces. Volume pricing applies on larger runs.

Question 5

What is the difference between 24K and 18K gold plating?

Accepted Answer

24K is pure gold: the richest color, best conductivity, and highest chemical inertness, but relatively soft. 18K is alloyed gold: slightly less saturated in color but noticeably harder-wearing, making it the better choice for items that are handled daily.

Question 6

What metals can you plate onto?

Accepted Answer

Steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, nickel alloys, and aluminum are all routine. Most base metals receive a nickel underplate first for adhesion and as a diffusion barrier. If you're unsure what your item is made of, send a photo and we'll assess it.

Question 7

Do you sell gold plating kits or supplies?

Accepted Answer

No. We are a service-only professional lab — you send or drop off your items, and we plate them. We do not sell kits, solutions, or equipment.

Question 8

Is there anything you can't plate?

Accepted Answer

We can't plate non-conductive materials (plastic, wood, glass) without special metallization, and heavily corroded or structurally compromised items may need restoration first. Send photos and we'll tell you honestly whether your piece is a good candidate.

Question 9

How thick is your gold plating?

Accepted Answer

Thickness is matched to the application — decorative work typically runs lighter, while engineering and mil-spec work is plated to a specified thickness (commonly quoted in microinches) and verified before delivery. Tell us your spec and we plate to it.

Question 10

How long does gold plating last?

Accepted Answer

It depends on thickness and wear. A properly prepared, adequately thick gold layer on a nickel underplate lasts years on handled items and far longer on protected surfaces like connectors or display pieces. We'll recommend a thickness for your use case.

Question 11

Can you re-plate worn or vintage items?

Accepted Answer

Yes — restoration is a large part of our jewelry and decorative work. Worn plating is stripped, the surface is refinished, and fresh gold is applied. Sentimental and heirloom pieces are handled with appropriate care.

Question 12

Do you plate jewelry?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rings, chains, watches, and custom pieces — both new finishing and restoration. We work with individual clients as well as jewelers who send us regular batches.

Question 13

Can you meet MIL-SPEC or ASTM plating standards?

Accepted Answer

We plate to specification for aerospace, defense, and engineering clients, including thickness classes and purity types defined by standards like MIL-G-45204 and ASTM B488. Send your drawing or spec sheet with your quote request.

Question 14

Do you offer chrome plating too?

Accepted Answer

Yes — mirror-finish chrome electroplating, with polishing and powder coating available through our sister division under the same parent company, Pacific Intelligence. For dedicated chrome or full restoration projects we'll route you to the right team.

Question 15

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

Our lab is in Vista, CA, in North County San Diego. We serve all of San Diego County, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and up to Los Angeles. Local clients can arrange drop-off and pickup Monday–Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Question 16

Can I ship items to you?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clients outside Southern California ship items to our Vista lab regularly. We confirm receipt on arrival, plate to the agreed spec, and return-ship fully insured. Get your quote first and we'll send packing guidance.

Question 17

Is my item safe in your lab?

Accepted Answer

We run a professional, controlled facility — not a garage operation. Items are logged on intake, tracked through every process step, and inspected before return. High-value pieces are common in our workflow.

Question 18

Why is there a $500 minimum?

Accepted Answer

Professional plating involves fixed costs regardless of item size: chemistry preparation, surface prep, masking, quality inspection, and documented process control. The minimum ensures every job — even a single small piece — gets the full professional process.

Question 19

Do you gold plate car parts and emblems?

Accepted Answer

Yes — emblems, trim, badges, and custom parts for luxury and show vehicles are a regular part of our automotive work. Parts must be removed from the vehicle before plating.

Question 20

Can you plate electronics without damaging them?

Accepted Answer

We plate electronic components — connectors, pins, contacts, RF hardware — not assembled consumer devices. Components are plated to preserve dimensional tolerances and solderability. Ask us about your specific part.

Question 21

What should I do before sending my item?

Accepted Answer

Nothing — don't polish, clean with chemicals, or disassemble anything beyond what's needed for shipping. Surface preparation is part of our process, and DIY cleaning can complicate it. Just photograph the item as-is for your quote.

Question 22

Do you offer pickup or delivery?

Accepted Answer

For commercial clients and larger orders in our SoCal service area, pickup and delivery can be arranged — mention it in your quote request. Individual clients are welcome to drop off at our Vista lab during business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions