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  #16  
Old 04-03-08, 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Cardiffbloke View Post
Garry

roger that..... So who might be able to help, i have 2 extremely rare badges that need to be stripped of the gold and i dont mind paying.... Do you know a company or individual that will do it?
H
H,

I'm a scientist, but not in the field you want. A jeweller who uses electroplating techniques to reverse rhodium (Rh) plating might just have the tools to complete the job. In theory, the following ionic compounds/elements should work (figures are electron potential (Volts)):

Flourine +2.87 (dangerous in this form)

Ferrous Oxide (FeO4 2-) +2.20

Cobalt 3+ +1.82 (unstable state)

O3 (oxygen radical) +2.07 (oxygen in this state is rare, except in the upper atmosphere)

The nitrogen experiment mentioned above would probably fracture your badge in many places (thermal shock).

The reason that gold is the alchemists dream metal, is its lack of reactivity with other species. It is a super-conductor of electricity and doesn't oxidise easily when exposed to atmospheric oxygen (tarnish). This is your biggest problem. Gold is hard to destroy.

A jeweller with the equipment and skills will be your best bet.

Garry
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  #17  
Old 04-03-08, 12:15 PM
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Thanks for that.... do you know one?
H
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  #18  
Old 04-03-08, 12:40 PM
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H,
In one of my previous threads I made a joke about us badges collectors being amateur alchemists now I'm really getting concerned after reading this thread.
After reading all thats been written why don't you try getting in contact with one of the outlets working in The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham,Firmins still operate from there and there lots of other specialist working there as well.I would be surprised if they could not sort out the problem.
Bantam
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  #19  
Old 05-03-08, 04:46 PM
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Thanks to all for the suggestions, i am now thinking of re-plating it in bronze....
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  #20  
Old 05-03-08, 05:10 PM
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Since bronze and brass are both alloys, I don't think that's an option if by plating you mean electroplating. You can only electroplate elemental metals, not alloys. And if you mean hot-dipping, you won't have any detail left on that badge. Seems like anything you might do to try and return this badge to original appearance will just end up wrecking it one way or the other. Maybe leave well enough alone? Or at the most, good model paint that you could airbrush on. At least that way you could undo whatever you did if needed.
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  #21  
Old 05-03-08, 07:48 PM
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Default OH God!!

Ok.... I give up..... anyone want to buy a badge!
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  #22  
Old 05-03-08, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by DavidS View Post
Since bronze and brass are both alloys, I don't think that's an option if by plating you mean electroplating. You can only electroplate elemental metals, not alloys. And if you mean hot-dipping, you won't have any detail left on that badge. Seems like anything you might do to try and return this badge to original appearance will just end up wrecking it one way or the other. Maybe leave well enough alone? Or at the most, good model paint that you could airbrush on. At least that way you could undo whatever you did if needed.
Hi David, Non-metal surfaces can be electroplated after specially preparing the surface (example, chromium evaporated onto cleaned silicon then plated with nickel). I agree with you on the point that unless you have professional help, it will make matters worse.

Garry
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  #23  
Old 06-03-08, 03:52 AM
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Sorry if my point wasn't clear; I meant you can only electroplate something with an elemental metal, i.e. silver, gold, chromium, nickel, copper, etc. You can't electroplate something with brass or bronze, as these are alloys. I wasn't referring to the material being plated, but to the metal being deposited in the electroplating.
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