Can You Gold Plate Stainless Steel?
Yes. Stainless steel is one of the most common base materials we work with, and it takes gold extremely well.
Why Stainless Steel Plates Well
Stainless is stable, hard-wearing and holds a polish. Those three properties make it a good foundation: the base metal does not move or corrode beneath the gold, and a well-prepared stainless surface gives the finish depth that softer metals struggle to match.
It is the reason so much of what we plate — watch cases, device bodies, marine and architectural fittings, kitchen and bathroom hardware — is stainless underneath.
Preparation Is What Decides the Result
Stainless needs proper preparation. It is harder than brass or copper and takes longer to bring to the right surface, and a plater rushing that stage will produce a finish that looks acceptable on the day and disappoints within months.
Stripping, polishing and cleaning are most of the work on stainless. It is also the stage that cheap quotes skip.
What Thickness to Specify
Our standard finish is 5 microns, and we plate up to 10 microns.
On stainless the question is usually about contact rather than material. A decorative piece behind glass is fine at standard thickness. A door handle, a watch case or a handrail is touched constantly and should be specified towards the upper end.
What Else We Plate
Brass
Copper
Silver
Aluminium
Titanium
Chrome-plated parts
Plastic components require a specialist assessment. Many items combine metal and plastic — modern trophies and device housings especially — so send photographs of the whole piece and we will tell you what is possible.
Finishes Available
24k, 22k, 18k and 9k gold, rose gold and platinum, with mirror, brushed, satin and antique surface finishes. Our platinum finish is applied as rhodium.
On stainless, brushed and satin finishes are particularly effective — they work with the material's character rather than against it, and they show handling far less than a mirror finish.
Durability and Warranty
Plating carried out on your own item carries a three-year Goldgenie warranty, subject to applicable warranty terms and normal exclusions — misuse, accidental damage and inappropriate care.
Getting a Quote
Send photographs and tell us the finish you want. Our minimum project charge is £250, and most projects complete within 7 working days.
More on our gold plating services page.
FAQs
Yes. It is one of the most common base materials we work with and takes gold extremely well.
Yes, with correct preparation. Stainless is harder than brass or copper and takes longer to prepare properly, which is why preparation is most of the work.
Our standard finish is 5 microns and we plate up to 10 microns. Specify towards the upper end for high-contact items such as handles, watch cases and handrails.
Brass, copper, silver, aluminium, titanium and chrome-plated parts. Plastic components require a specialist assessment.
Brushed and satin are particularly effective and show handling far less than a mirror finish.
