Question

can electroplating be used to coat a layer of metal on an insulating material ?

Answer 1

Electroplating is the process in which a metal coated over another metal or conducting surface. The metallic object to be coated is made the cathode (negative electrode) of an electrolysis cell through which a direct electric current is passed.

Since the object to be coated is also an electrode of the electrolysis cell, it must be a conducting object. Thus, electroplating cannot be used to coat a layer of metal on an insulating material.