Homebrew PCBs

This subject seems to come up every now and then.

I wonder if anybody has come up with information about how to metalize 
inside the via holes?

I am not a chemist so please keep any information suitable for a dummy.

I have tried silver paint but it is too viscous and it would need some 
suction or pressure to give a smooth surface. Also it is most 
important to me to be able to be left with a suitable hole for IC pins.

My hobby is RF electronics and I need to use squillions of vias for RF 
ground connections. Some as small as 12 mil.

Any solutions (pun intended) for that problem that don't involve 
buying gallons of the stuff and don't require a bank loan would be 
most useful to me.
Frank VK4BLF (QTHR)