METHOD FOR POLYCHROMING METAL

PURPOSE:To easily polychrome the surface of a metal by plating the surface with a colored metal, masking the plated surface in a pattern, carrying out plating with a metal different from the colored metal in color tone or coating with resin paint and removing the masking material. CONSTITUTION:The surface of metallic stock 1 for an ornament is cleaned and an Ni layer 2 or >=3mum thickness is formed on the surface by plating so as to improve the suitability to electrodeposition. Au striking is carried out on the Ni layer 2 and a primary colored metallic film 3 is formed by Au plating. The Au film 3 is masked with rubber paint as a masking material 4 so as to leave Au plated parts in the form of a pattern, letters or the like and a secondary colored film 5 is formed on the masked film 3 by plating with a colored metal different from Au in color tone or by coating with fluororesin paint. The masking material 4 is then removed and the stock 1 is washed and dried, or such stages may be repeatedly carried out. Thus, the surface of the stock 1 is easily polychromed at a low cost.