Short answer
Degrease the part at 10 to 12V DC, plate a nickel underlayer if the surface is not already gold, nickel or silver, then stroke the gold pen across it at 6 to 8V. A standard gold pen deposits about 0.5 µm in 2 minutes on a 1 in² copper surface and builds up to 1.5 to 1.8 µm. Gold pens start at $145.
Choosing 24K, 18K or 14K
All three karats plate the same way, at the same voltage, onto the same surfaces. The choice comes down to what the part does.
| Pen | Catalog no. | Price | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold 24K | PL-1003 | $145 | Pure gold for the best conductivity and corrosion resistance: connector pins, edge connectors, switch contacts |
| Gold 18K | PL-1004 | $145 | A harder-wearing finish than 24K on high-contact industrial parts |
| Gold 14K | PL-1005 | $145 | Matching existing 14K-plated parts, where a harder finish than 24K is preferred |
| Gold 24K Heavy | PL-1016 | $235 | Thicker 24K deposits and longer runs between pens |
| Gold 18K Heavy | PL-1017 | $235 | Thicker 18K deposits on high-wear parts |
What gold will plate onto
Every gold pen plates over gold, nickel or silver. It does not bond directly to copper, brass or steel, so those surfaces get an underlayer first. Nickel is the standard layer under gold: it plates over copper and keeps the copper from migrating into the gold.
| Base metal | Sequence |
|---|---|
| Gold, nickel or silver | Degrease, then gold |
| Copper | Degrease, nickel, then gold |
| Brass, steel or zinc die-cast | Degrease, copper flash, nickel, then gold |
| Stainless steel | Stainless degreaser, copper flash, nickel, then gold |
| Aluminum | Not supported by the Micro-Metallizer system |
Step by step
- 01
Remove oxide and discoloration
If the surface is discolored or oxidized, polish it with a fine metal polish until the oxide is gone, then wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth.
- 02
Degrease at 10 to 12V
Set the supply to 10 to 12V and use the Absorbent / Degreaser pen (PL-1002). Connect the part to the negative (−) lead of the power supply and the pen to the positive (+) lead. Hold the pen so the whole tip touches the surface, and move it lightly back and forth in a slow stroke. Small bubbles form as oil and grease come off. Rinse with water when done. Stainless steel takes the Stainless Steel Degreaser pen (PL-1014) instead.
- 03
Build the underlayer if you need one
On brass or steel, flash copper first with the Copper pen (PL-1010) at 6 to 8V. Then plate nickel with the Nickel pen (PL-1006) at 5 to 6V over any copper. Rinse between pens. Skip this step on gold, nickel or silver surfaces.
- 04
Plate gold at 6 to 8V
Set the supply to 6 to 8V and switch to the gold pen. Connect the part to the negative (−) lead of the power supply and the pen to the positive (+) lead. Hold the pen so the whole tip touches the surface, and move it lightly back and forth in a slow stroke. Keep stroking until the finish is even. A standard pen lays down about 0.5 µm in 2 minutes and 0.8 µm in 3 minutes on a 1 in² area.
- 05
Rinse and wipe
Rinse the part in water and wipe it with a soft cloth.
How thick and how fast
Each pen holds 10 ml of concentrated solution and plates roughly 300 square inches, so one pen covers a lot of small contact work.
| Pen | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard gold (24K, 18K, 14K) | 0.5 µm | 0.8 µm | 1.5 to 1.8 µm |
| Heavy gold (24K, 18K) | 0.8 µm | 1.2 µm | 3 to 3.6 µm |
What you need
A gold pen runs on the Micro-Metallizer power supply ($220) and connector cables ($20), or on your own variable DC supply up to 12V at 0.1A. You also need the Absorbent / Degreaser pen ($65) for prep.
Bought separately, a 24K gold pen, degreaser, power supply and cables come to $450. The Contact Repair Kit is $400 and adds the nickel pen, so for most gold work the kit is the better buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gold plating pen plate directly onto copper?
No. Gold pens plate over gold, nickel or silver. Plate nickel over the copper first, then the gold.
What voltage does a gold plating pen use?
6 to 8V DC, with the part on the negative lead and the pen on the positive lead. Degreasing beforehand runs at 10 to 12V.
How long does it take to gold plate with a pen?
A standard gold pen deposits about 0.5 µm in 2 minutes and 0.8 µm in 3 minutes on a 1 in² area. The heavy gold pen deposits about 0.8 µm in 2 minutes.
Should I use 24K or 18K gold?
Use 24K for electrical contacts, where pure gold gives the best conductivity and corrosion resistance. Use 18K where the part sees a lot of physical contact and a harder finish lasts longer.
Do I need a special power supply?
No. The Micro-Metallizer power supply is designed for the pens, but any variable DC supply up to 12V at 0.1A will run them.
Not sure which pens your part needs?
Tell us the substrate and the finish you need. The people who build the system will tell you the sequence.