Is the Gold Finish on the Classic Frameset a paint/powder finish or actually an electroplating?

This is a great question.

Formigli is one of the last frame builders to offer true 24KT gold on a steel frameset. Gilding in 24KT gold is a very particular process that requires several precise technical steps.

We work with a small, specialized workshop here in Florence that is properly equipped for this treatment. The gilding takes place after we have completed the construction of the frameset, and before the steel frame proceeds to paint.

It is a delicate stage — one that must be executed with care and respect for the material.

For the gold application, the first step involves an ultrasonic washing to eliminate every trace of dirt and grease, followed by an electrolytic washing to remove any further impurity.

Subsequently, the frame is immersed in a tank with distilled water in order to be decontaminated before the nickel plating and the copper plating, which are the two preparatory treatments for the actual gold gilding itself. 

Steel, at a microscopic level, is not perfectly uniform. Copper is more forgiving and levels the surface slightly, creating a smoother base. This ensures that the final gold layer appears consistent and refined. You can think of copper as a “leveling” and bonding layer.

Nickel acts as a barrier layer, a corrosion shield, and a stabilizing surface.  It prevents interaction between the steel and the gold over time. Without nickel, there is a risk that base metals could migrate or oxidize, potentially affecting the appearance of the gold layer. Nickel also provides a slightly brighter, more reflective substrate, which enhances the visual clarity of the gold applied on top.

Only once this foundation is correctly prepared can the 24KT gold be deposited.

Finally, the frame is placed in an electrolytic tank containing a solution of 24KT gold salts, which guarantees a more vivid appearance. 

The term “24KT gold salts” may sound mysterious, but it refers to a specific chemical reality.

In electroplating, solid gold is not applied directly to the frame. Instead, the gold is dissolved into a chemical solution, forming what are known as gold salts. In this dissolved state, the gold exists as positively charged ions suspended in the solution.

When the frame is placed into the electrolytic bath and an electrical current is applied, these gold ions migrate toward the frame, gain electrons, and deposit onto the metal surface as pure metallic gold.

The 24KT that is deposited in this layer is essentially pure gold — not alloyed with other metals.

This is why the appearance is more vivid. Twenty-four karat gold is 99.9% pure. It is not diluted with base metals. Pure gold reflects light differently. It has a deeper yellow tone, a warmer hue. 

That is what I meant by a more vivid result.

At the end of the bath, the frame is washed once again and dried.
We then paint the frame, preserving the 24KT gold finish on the lugs.

The high cost of this process to create the gold finish is due both to the variable market price of gold and to the complexity of the process, which requires numerous steps."

I hope you enjoyed hearing more about the Steel frame 24KT gold guiding process L.P

Saluti,

Renzo Formigli