3586. To Gild Steel

3586.    To Gild Steel. Pour some of the ethereal solution of gold into a wine-glass, and dip into it the blade of a new penknife, lancet, or razor; withdraw the instrument, and allow the ether to evaporate; the blade will then he found covered with a beautiful coat of gold. The blade may he moistened with a clean rag, or a small piece of very dry sponge dipped into the ether, and the same effect will be produced. (See No. 3585 (Ethereal Solution of Gold for Gilding on Steel).)

3587. Elkington's Patent, or Anglo-German Gilding

3587.     Elkington's Patent, or Anglo-German Gilding. The articles, after being perfectly cleaned from scale or grease, and receiving a proper face, are to be suspended on wires, dipped into the gilding liquid (see No. 3588 (Elkington's Patent Gilding Liquid)) boiling hot, and moved about therein, when, in from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the newness and strength of the liquid, the requisite coating of gold will be deposited on them. By a little practice the time to withdraw the articles is readily known; the duration of the immersion required to produce any given effect gradually increases as the liquid weakens by use. When properly gilded, the articles are withdrawn from the solution of gold, washed in clean water, and dried; after which they undergo the usual operation of coloring, etc.. A dead appearance is produced by the application to the articles of a weak solution of nitrate of mercury previously to the immersion ; or the deadening may be given by applying a solution of the nitrate to the gilded surface and then expelling the mercury by heat.

3588. Elkington's Patent Gilding Liquid

3588.      Elkington's Patent Gilding Liquid. Fine gold, 5 ounces (troy); nitro-muriatic acid (aqua regia), 52 ounces (avoirdupois); dissolve by heat, and continue the heat until red or yellow vapors cease to be evolved; decant the clear liquid into a suitable vessel; add distilled water, 4 gallons; pure bicarbonate of potassa, 20 pounds; and boil for 2 hours. The nitro-muriatic acid is made with pure nitric acid (specific gravity 1.45), 21 ounces; pure muriatic acid (specific gravity 1.15), 17 ounces; and distilled water, 14 ounces.

3589. Gilding by Immersion

3589.     Gilding by Immersion. Dissolve teroxide or terchloride of gold in a solution of pyrophosphate of soda, and dip the article to be gilt in it.

3590. Gilding and Silvering by Amalgams

3590. Gilding and Silvering by Amalgams. For these processes see Nos. 3532 to 3538.

3591. Gold Plating Powder

3591.    Gold Plating Powder. Wash thoroughly 1/4 ounce chloride of gold; then add it to a solution of 2 ounces cyanide of potassium in a pint of clean rain water; shake well, and let it stand until the chloride is dissolved. Add 1 pound prepared Spanish whiting, expose to the air till dry, and then put away in a tight vessel for use.