Thanks, plating sounds intriguing. I heard of plating on plastic but how does that work? Is it something an electroplater does?

Yes, it is done by an electroplater, but a lot of them are not set up for plating plastics (a slightly different process than plating metal). You would need to do some ringing around to local platers on a case by case basis and ask.

The other variable I have found is that plating prices vary wildly between business for the same amount of work so again do your homework and don't just settle for the first plater you make contact with that can plate plastics. I remember Retropin made a thread here a while back questioning the quoted price about some chrome plating work he wanted done up in Brisbane and I told him he could get it done for almost half that cost in SA.

Gold paint will still look good but you just won't get the same reflective quality of gold plating.

24k gold plated