Bare Metal Foil on chromium surface?

Hi everyone -

This is my first post, and I'm afraid it's not model related in any way, but after some looking, I concluded that you folks would know the answer if anyone did!

Attached below are three (3) pics of a lighter manufactured by the Swiss firm Thorens starting in 1935. Thorens suspended production in 1940 when, surrounded by Axis powers, Switzerland reverted to a wartime economy in preparation for a possible German invasion. Production never resumed.

I bought this piece on eBay for $3.00 shipped so, no matter what, I didn't do so bad!

The lighter looks barely used. Unfortunately, someone defaced it with sandpaper, a wire brush, maybe a motorized grinder for all I know, in a half-baked attempt to paint (possibly acid etch?) a stripe, or some sort of design, on it. Whatever the plan was, it looks like they gave it up (an intelligent decision at last!).

My question is: Would several layers of Bare Metal Foil camouflage -- or mask - the damage? If so, what color would you recommend?

If not, what other approach might you suggest as an alternative? I'm thinking a decal or paint? It's a relatively rare item that I really want to restore, or at least improve, somehow.

Thanks for your time and expertise!
David

p.s. - the chrome electro-plate covers brass.

If the item is solid Chrome metal rather than a plate surface it may be possible to remove the damage using a bench polisher, this will wear away at the effected area's producing a good surface. If it's just chrome plate then it is best left as is, it would need a specialist plater or Master Jeweller to be able to sort it, but it would be at a price.

The photos, in my opinion, show great care in defining the limits of the abraded area. I think you probably want to apply a metal "leaf" material, which is extremely thin (thousandths of an inch), and usually applied with a brush. If I were you, I would do a web search for "gold leaf application technique" or "silver leaf..."

Gold leaf is used in architectural decoration on stone buildings to accentuate carved figures or carved letters. In that context, it is applied with a brush. You may require a spray-on adhesive.

I think attempting to smooth the surface that was altered is going to produce a concavity you will not like.