Frequently Asked Questions

Appointments are REQUIRED for us to serve you better.

• Need and estimate?
• Have a commercial or home remodeling project, vehicle or item you would like us to look at?
• Want us to come to you or do you want to visit our shop?

Call 515-480-4905 and let us know! We'll be happy to set up an appointment that accommodates your needs.

10AM or 10PM.... 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning, we understand that some business operate "outside the norm" especially when renovation, repairs or construction is involved so call us today.

Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. You will NOT be inconvenienced nor will your business be interrupted. At Goldfingerz.com, WE, work around YOU.

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions. Click on one for an answer!

If your question is not listed, please  us!

Answers listed in Gold are very important!!!

What can be plated?

How is it done?

How long will it last?

What are the DO's and DON'Ts when caring for gold plated emblems and fixtures?

Are there any size restrictions to the item that is to be gold plated?

Do you have to remove my emblems or fixtures to plate them?

How can emblems or grills on a car be electroplated when they are made of plastic?

Do I have to bring my car to you?

Are appointments recommended?

Who can use your plating service?

What can be plated?

• Whether it is the emblem on a car, a faucet in the bathroom, golf clubs, stainless steel flatware, guns or even a favorite piece of jewelry, Goldfingerz.com can transform it to beautiful 24Kt. Gold!  Goldfingerz.com has done autos, motorcycles, trucks, vans, corporate jets, boats, jewelry, pet accessories, sports equipment and awards, clocks and hundreds of other items. 
• We will plate most anything EXCEPT aluminum and other types of pot-metals.
• Item must be in good condition BEFORE plating can be accomplished.  This means no corrosion, pitting, scratches or any other surface imperfection. ALL flaws will show even more, in the final result. Item must have a highly polished mirror surface to produce an acceptable job.  Best results are obtained when plating gold on an item that was originally chrome, copper, nickel, silver and older SLIGHTLY worn gold. 

How is it done? (back to top)

• First the chrome is electrochemically removed from the existing piece exposing a layer of nickel plating.
• The nickel layer is then electrically "activated" by passing a small electric current through it.
• Finally the 24Kt. gold is electrochemically bonded to the exposed nickel. This three step process yields excellent results and is the only way Goldfingerz.com will plate an item.

How long will it last? (back to top)

• This is a difficult question to answer in simple terms of duration over time because of so many uncontrollable factors. If you look at an older vehicle, you can see where the Chrome finish has become degraded over time and chrome is harder than Gold. This gives you an idea.  
• With PROPER CARE the Gold Plating should last a long time, probably indefinitely. If, and that is a big IF, we can control the PROPER CARE.   The Gold Plating we will do is a CUSTOMIZING of the vehicle.  
• The easiest way to explain how long the Gold Plating will last is to address it from a different position.  
• The first way to address it says that we will actually BOND the 24 Karat Gold in the Gold Plating step to the nickel we exposed and activated, in the first two steps of the Gold Plating process.  
• Once you BOND the 24-Karat Gold to the exposed and activated nickel;  

·          The Gold Plating will not fall off.

·          The Gold Plating will not flake off.

·          The Gold Plating will not tarnish.

• Technically, if we were to Gold Plate a group of sample scripts/emblems and put the sample, scripts/emblems on your office wall as demonstrators, the Gold Plating will last for years and years, probably indefinitely. We expect you would need to dust them occasionally.  
• Gold Plating should last indefinitely with PROPER CARE. However, since we are unable to control the PROPER CARE of the Gold Plating by the consumer, we have no realistic way to say how long the Gold Plating will last.

What are the Do's and Don'ts when caring for gold plated emblems and fixtures? (back to top)

Don'ts

• DO NOT use abrasive cleaners of any kind. Abrasive cleaners will scratch your GOLD.

• DO NOT use or let another person use a high-speed buffer or steel wool on your GOLD, it can damage your gold.
• DO NOT use a hard paste wax or wax with any ABRASIVES.
• DO NOT wash your car in a car wash with BRUSHES, brushes strike the vehicle with substantial force and can scratch and or wear down your gold.
• DO NOT use jewelry cleaner. Gold will not tarnish.

Do's

• DO use a soft cloth and a mild soap and water mixture or glass cleaner on your GOLD.
• DO dry gold plated accessories with a chamois or soft cloth to avoid water spots.
• DO wax with Liquid Glass approximately every 6 months.
• DO clean weekly or when dirty and or exposed to harsh chemicals or ROAD SALT.

Are there any size restrictions to the item that is to be gold plated? (back to top)

• There is no limitation to the size of the work piece. From a dime to a Delorean Goldfingerz.com can (and has) plated numerous "unique" items.

Do you have to remove my emblems or fixtures to plate them? (back to top)

• In most cases, Goldfingerz.com will not have to remove your emblems or fixtures to plate them.  Our water based solutions have been formulated not to harm automotive finishes nor bathroom tubs, basins or tiles since they are non-conductive and therefore unaffected by the plating process. 

How can emblems or grills on a car be electroplated when they are made of plastic?

• Most items on a car are manufactured with a plastic base.  The base is nickel coated and then chrome plated from the factory.  It does not matter that the base is plastic as long as a conductive outer coating exists to plate to.

Do I have to bring my car to you? (back to top)

• No. Goldfingerz.com will gold plate ON-SITE weather permitting ..

Are appointments recommended? (back to top)

• REQUIRED!!!! Due to the demand for our services and the nature of our work (every job is different), we ask that you give us a few days' notice allowing us to schedule your appointment so as not to rush your job.

Who can use your plating service? (back to top)