Removing Gold Plate from a Metallic Substrate

**RecyclingSecrets** · 01-09-2012, 01:35 AM

Hi - years ago I built a little cell for removing gold plate from a bunch of brass microwave attenuators. It was a low toxic alternative to dissolving the entire chunk in aqua regia and going through that entire dangerous refining process. The mud created was melted down, a little salt peter added and I'd end up in the 97%+ pure neighborhood. The cell uses sulfuric acid and it can be used over and over again.

The cell is based on a design in George Gadja's Gold Refining book and with a little help from C.W. Ammen.

I still advocate that folks do NOT refine at home, but thought you might be interested in this.

It is online, but unfortunately, I can't put the link in this post so PM (personal message) me and I'll send you the URL. I only check in here every couple of day so if you don't hear back from me right away, you will soon. Thanks.

Best,

Mike

**KzScrapper** · 01-09-2012, 04:39 AM

Last check sulfuric acid was pretty toxic...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfuric_acid

**injunjoe** · 01-09-2012, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by KZBell

Last check sulfuric acid was pretty toxic...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfuric_acid

True but it is much less toxic and easier to obtain then aqua regia.

**RecyclingSecrets** · 01-09-2012, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by KZBell

Last check sulfuric acid was pretty toxic...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfuric_acid

You bet, but, as I said above, less toxic than aqua regia. Guess I didn't make that clear. Also said, I recommend folks send this stuff to a refiner rather than attempt themselves. Thanks for opportunity to clarify.