While there are now many options for size, colour, and functionality, permanently altering the iPod has ultimately been left up to Apple. There are many temporary options for personalizing one’s iPod with the use of skins and cases. Skins are decal-like stickers that can be applied by the customer. Offering quite a few options, the skins and cases allow customization without commitment. However, they often peel off and result in a less than attractive look. This is not exactly ideal for such an expensive piece of equipment. A better option without damaging the device and while still allowing the user to impart their mark on their iPod, is gold plating.

Although any iPod can successfully undergo the gold plating process, there are a few things to take into consideration when attempting to do so. Some iPods are simpler than others to gold plate. For example, iPods with a stainless steel back can be electroplated easily. Electroplating can be done with various precious metals, such as silver, white gold, rose gold, platinum, and, in this case, yellow gold. Despite the many options of precious metals to use, the object to be electroplated must have conductive properties for the result to be successful. Therefore, while easy to gold plate an iPod with a stainless steel backing, iPods with an aluminium case need to be stripped of any anodizing before being zincated, copper plated, nickel plated and finally gold plated.

The hard hitting mp3 player put out by Apple, the iPod, has become the “gold standard” in the industry. It has undergone many facelifts over the past few years. Some small, some major, everything from colour, to finish, to size have been tweaked on a regular basis. These new models are put out so often that, as a consumer, one is hard-pressed to keep up. So instead of trying to keep up with the masses, it makes sense to take the look of your iPod into your own hands and upgrade to gold status!

If you would like a quote, please visit us at Pure Gold Plating or contact us through the forum username: PureGold.

Gold plated paintball guns are just that: gold plated. Solid gold paintball guns, although interesting in theory, do not make sense for several reasons. One of those reasons is cost. The cost to make a solid gold gun would make them virtually impossible to produce and thus would not be able to be purchased by the average consumer. The second reason is weight. As any paintballer knows, the guns need to be light. For ease of movement and speed, as well as the endurance of the paintballer, a solid gold gun simply would not make practical sense.

One major UK paintball equipment supplier that has taken the plunge in gold plating a paintball gun is Fat Bob’s Paintball. The store and website is run by Andy Sables, whom also owns the adrenaline filled Yorkshire Paintball Centre. The paintball gun that was chosen to be plated was an aluminium bodied DM9. This was done through a process called electroplating. Electroplating aluminium, unlike other metals, is a more specialized and timely process to enable the original aluminium surface to be coated with gold. The results are well worth it and speak for themselves, as you can see in the photograph below.

Personalizing seems to be a way of life these days. Whether it is a phone, an iPod, or a car, it is a way to show off our individuality. Being the ultimate symbol of luxury, gold gives off a sense of extravagance and exclusivity. Having made a comeback in terms of popularity, it is truly the “gold standard” of metals. For the paintball enthusiast, gold plating their paintball gun allows them to show their dedication to the sport while imparting an heir of elegance, and all without compromising performance. Adding that little something extra will make sure that fellow competitors take notice. After all, every paintballer wants to be the man with the Midas touch!

Whether you want to buy a new marker or simply customize your current marker, for the best in gold plated paintball guns, including the new DM10, please visit FatBobsPaintball or email Andy Sables, the man with the Midas touch!

Due to its popularity, it is not surprising that many enthusiasts have invested in specialized versions of paintball guns. These specialized paintball gun series become collectors’ items. For instance, one brand of paintball marker has issued a gold plated paintball gun to commemorate their milestone in the industry. This type of paintball marker is more expensive than ordinary ones. But gold plated or not, all paintball guns use compressed air to shoot paintballs. As a matter of fact, using gold plated material in a paintball marker does not have any effect on the functionality of the unit. Adding the gold plated appearance is done mainly to improve the aesthetics of the paintball gun.

It must also be emphasized that a gold plated paintball gun is not made from solid gold. You see, most paintball guns are designed to be light. With that in mind, manufacturers use aluminum to construct the body of their paintball markers. Aluminum is a versatile metal. It can be easily coated via anodizing and gold plating. Typically, gold plating will only be done on the body which includes the handle and trigger frame. So, using solid gold would not only be hugely impractical, but it would also be outrageously expensive.

Indeed, paintball guns are here to stay. What started out as equipment used mainly by ranchers or forestry workers to tag cattle or trees is now a popular sport played worldwide. Aside from adding the unique surface appearance of a gold plated paintball gun, manufacturers would also ensure that each marker is individually numbered to add more value to the unit. If you do not want to buy expensive gold plated paintball guns you can simply personalize your existing marker with that unmistakable color of gold by having it gold plated yourself.

Now there’s a good idea!