What you need:
Gold, copper, or other plating solutions*
Wall transformer with power leads*
Metal wands for plating*
Cloth strips
Soft Scrub
Vinyl gloves
Eye protection
Philips 0 screwdriver
Hobby knife
Guitar pick

 

*Available as a brush-on plating kit from Caswell Plating or other sources.

 

iPods look good, but they all look alike. Make your working iPod stand out with a new metal backing. Just permanently cover the original stainless steel by electroplating a new layer on top. Choose from gold, copper, nickel, tin, chrome, bronze, or other finishes.

 

We tried gold- and copper-plating kits from Caswell Plating, for flashy and retro results. Be warned that gold can be difficult to apply, while copper is comparatively easy. We’ll explain the process for either metal.

 

Chrome is boring

 

Step 1: Split the iPod case
We’re working with a fourth-generation iPod. (Any stainless steel iPod should be similar, but the electroplating process won’t easily work on an aluminum Mini.) Carefully insert a hobby knife blade into the seam between the metal backing and plastic front. Aim for a point next to the fast-forward or rewind buttons. Point the knife down, flush against the metal backing, making a tiny opening. Insert a guitar pick in the small gap, and remove the knife. Work the guitar pick around the case, popping open the plastic tabs until the two sides release.

 

Be very careful removing the fiberglass plug

 

Step 2: Open the iPod
Open the sides slightly, identifying a fragile ribbon cable in the corner. Lift that cable out of its socket by its fiberglass plug; do not pull on the cable itself. Set the plastic front side away until reassembly.

 

Remove the three screws circled in red

 

Step 3: Remove the headphone jack
Use a tiny screwdriver—Phillips 0 or smaller—to remove the three screws holding the headphone circuit into the metal case. Leave the torx screws intact. Set this part aside.

 

Clean the iPod back thoroughly

 

Step 4: Clean the metal backing
Go over the iPod backing with some Soft Scrub to clean off any oils or grime. You’ll have the best plating results with a clear surface.

 

Safety first

 

Step 5: Stay safe
Put on some vinyl gloves to keep the plating chemicals off your skin. If you have latex gloves on-hand, those should work, too, although they might redistribute contaminated plating chemicals more easily. Wear eye protection.

 

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Be sure to cover the exposed metal completely with a cloth

 

Step 6: Prepare the wand
Wrap and tie a small strip of cotton cloth around the exposed metal end of the plating wand. (You’ll use different wands for different kinds of plating. For example, gold uses a stainless steel wand, while copper uses a copper wand.) The strip should be about six inches long. Make it snug, but if it’s too tight, it won’t soak the plating solutions as well.

 

Don't mix up your chemicals

 

Step 7: Prepare the chemicals
Open your plating bottle (or bottles), and fill the cap with the solution. Soak the clean, un-used wand in the full bottle initially. But once you begin plating, don’t dip back in the source; you could contaminated the remainder.

 

Use a transformer. A direct connection to an outlet will kill you

 

Step 8: Hook up the iPod
Plug the transformer into the wall, and hook up its ends. Connect the negative alligator clip to the iPod backing, and insert the positive end in the wand. The transformer voltage also varies with the kind of plating; use 4.5 volts for copper or gold.

 

Rub on alchemy

 

Step 9: Plate it
Rub the wand with firm, but not excessive pressure on the iPod. Use small circular strokes, but keep it moving so the iPod doesn’t get burned. Test a patch on the inside of the metal plate to practice, if desired. Soak up more of the solution about every 45 seconds. Replace the cotton strip if it becomes dark and tarnished. Metals like copper can be plated easily without any base coat. For best gold results, we recommend plating a layer of copper, then a layer of nickel before plating gold. The gold might not effectively plate directly to the iPod.

 

Back together and working

 

Step 10: Put it back together
Clean off any solution on the iPod backing, and reassemble the parts. Reattach the headphone piece, reconnect the ribbon cable, and snap the two halves together.

 

Our copper iPod

 

Eventually, we'll get a nice green patina effect