Tailpiece cover - removing gold finish?

[pickinNgrinnin]

I have a Gold Flatiron Tailpiece cover that I would like to strip (if possible) to the base Nickel. I have seen Gold Tailpiece covers that show some wear and the Nickel is showing through. Trying to find a Nickel Flatiron Tailpiece cover is near impossible and Gibson doesn't have any left.

Any recommendations? Can it be done?

Thanks!

[mandomedic]

I have a chrome/nickel Flatiron tail piece cover I'd just trade you for your gold one.. email me at mandomedic@wvi.com ... Kenc

[pickinNgrinnin]

Ken-

That's the easiest remedy I can think of http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Sure was not expecting that. I'll send you an email.

Thanks!

[Paul Hostetter]

You usually don't find nickel under gold plating. If the base metal is brass, the gold goes on direct. If it's steel (the most common), it's usually copper flashed, then gold plated. Chrome goes over steel, and doesn't look like nickel, plating, especially over time. Chrome stays shiny and bluish, nickel ages and isn't bluish.

If you're wondering what's under the plating, take a refrigerator magnet and see if it sticks. If it doesn't, you have brass.

[mandroid]

In General, Gold and silver and etc, can be un plated,
similar to the plating process , metal-salts in suspension in acid bath for the molecule transfer.

electric current transfers metal from anode to cathode.[&/or visa versa?]
a slug of source metal receives this time and the surface of the work gives it up.

[Jim Rowland]

If it's anything like the "gold" guitar (Grovers) that I bought several of years ago,a good polishing will take it off.
Jim