Does the process of gold electroplating require special treatment?

When gold electroplating is used on silver in the manufacturing of jewelry, a copper and nickel layer must be deposited onto the silver before the gold electroplating occurs (pre-treatment). The reason for this is that if no intermediate layer were provided the silver atoms would, over time, diffuse through the gold plating and cause what is known as tarnishing. The copper and nickel layers slow down this process. With electronics, an intermediate layer of nickel is used as copper will, like silver, diffuse through the gold layer and cause tarnishing and a sulfide/oxide layer to form.

How do you prepare the chemicals used for electroplating?

Watch this video for formulation recipe. 

Additonal info about gold plating

It is easy process with well defined chemistry and time relationship.  End product may look different depending on the electrolyte solution.  If you are trying to match a gold article you will have to coat that part too.