Copper Leafing Techniques The Gilded Planet partners with artSparx.com to bring you Gilding Basics 101. An on-line step-by-step educational series offering precise gilding tutorials and gilding information for the beginner, intermediate and advanced gilder.

For additional information, including images, video clips, terminology and detailed descriptions of each step involved visit the artSparx advanced gilding tutorials at the artSparx Gilded Corner.

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Step 1:  Prepare work area: Cover working surfaces and floor areas with drop cloths or newspaper. Use low-tack painters tape to mask any areas not to be gilded. Lightly sand the surface if necessary with 220 grit sandpaper to remove any blemishes.

Step 2: Prime surface:  Remove sanding dust with a tack cloth and apply a quality primer like Rolco Burnish Sealer. This primer-sealer has been specially formulated for gilding processes and is available in 3 color tones - Red, Grey and Ochre. Rolco Burnish Sealer produces a high quality, smooth surface for gilding. Ochre, red or grey can produce fault hiding bases or color enhancing undertones.

For more information on the use and application of primers refer to the artSparx.com basic preparation resource.

Step 3: Apply 'bole' color:  This base color is also referred to as the 'Bole' color. Traditionally, bole was made from clay. Today paint is typically substituted. Note: when using the Rolco Burnish Sealer it is generally not necessary to apply an additional 'bole' color over the primer sealer. This product is available in 3 colors. One can experiment with different colors and your choice will affect the overall appearance of the finished product. Visit the Gilded Planet Bole color center for more color ideas.

Step 4: Apply adhesive 'size'.  Size refers to the adhesive used to adhere the leaf to a surface. There are different kinds of size adhesive dependant on the finished look you desire. For most common gilding practices there is a choice of sizing available, water-based or oil-based. Apply carefully and evenly, working the size to an even film as much as possible. Visit the Size and adhesive center for detailed use and product information, including drying and tack times.

Step 5: Testing your 'tack' - This is perhaps the most important phase in achieving a properly gilt surface, and determining the proper 'tack' time of adhesive sizing will result in the professional finish you are after. As your 'size' dries it naturally goes from a wet to a dry state. The proper time to apply your leaf is when the 'size' is not wet but 'tacky', just before it dries completely.

To learn more about proper tack times, and testing your size to determine if it is ready to receive Copper Leaf, visit the artSparx advanced gilding tutorials at the artSparx Gilded Corner.

Step 6: Applying Copper Leaf

Surface leaf: Placing a book of leaf in your hand, carefully fold back the protective paper to expose the Copper Leaf. Lay the leaf onto the sized area and 'roll' out the leaf. Hold firmly and carefully.  Attach leaf to surface.

Patent Leaf: Carefully remove a single sheet of Copper Leaf transfer paper and gently apply to your surface. Rub over the back of the paper with a gilder's brush, or gently with your fingers. Carefully remove the paper to leave the gold leaf adhered to the surface. Continue in this manner.

Step 7: 'Burnishing' the leaf -After the leaf is laid on, rub gentle  and thoroughly with a soft squirrel or goat mop gilder's brush to insure complete adhesion.

Step 8: Touching up 'holidays' in the leaf surface. Touch up any 'holidays', areas that are missing leaf due to lack of sufficient sizing or from leafed areas that may have torn away during burnishing. For details on this procedure visit the artSparx advanced gilding tutorials at the artSparx Gilded Corner.

Step 10: Apply antique glaze - OPTIONAL

For more detailed gilding methods, photos, tips and techniques visit the gilding tutorials at artSparx Gilded Corner.

 

Metal Leaf Sample Pack! 1 book Imitation Gold Leaf 1 book Aluminum Leaf 1 book Copper Leaf $ 17.50 Item #  metal_sampPK Patent Leaf Sample Pack 1 book Patent Imitation Gold Leaf 1 book Patent Aluminum Leaf 1 book Patent Copper Leaf $ 36.50 Item #  metal_sampPA Special request? Ask Us.	Metal Composition Leaf Individual books Made from various metallic alloys that simulate gold or silver. Items covered with imitation leaf will tarnish unless they are varnished or sealed. Sheets of imitation leaf are approximately 5.5 in. x 5.5 in. 25 sheets per book, 20 books to a pack. Copper leaf is genuine copper. Imitation Dutch Gold Leaf - $ 6.25 Aluminum Leaf - $ 6.25 Copper Leaf - $ 7.25 Gilding Kits - Imitation Gold Leaf, Aluminum Leaf or Copper - $ 24.95 Step-by-Step Tutorials How to Gold Leaf How to Imitation Gold Leaf How to Silver Leaf How to Apply Dutch Gold How to Gild on Glass How to Apply Composition Leaf     How to Aluminum Leaf Advanced Gilding Tutorials How to Copper Leaf   at artSparx.com!             How to apply leaf to Ceiling and walls Exterior Gold Leafing Techniques Gilding over Metal Surfaces - Bronze, brass, steel, iron, aluminum
	Gilding Size 4oz. container Water-based This Gilding Size (adhesive) is designed for all interior leafing projects and is ideally suited for application on paper, cardboard, plastic and wood. Gilding Size comes to tack in 25 minutes and stays open for 36 hours. Do not dilute Aqua Size as it is meant to be used full strength. Aqua size will cure to a hard surface. Water based. More Adhesive Sizing 4 oz $ 7.00 item # GS/4oz   1 Pint $ 15.50 item# AQUA/P   1 Quart $ 24.50 item # AQUA/Q   1 Gallon $ 56.00 item # AQUA/GAL
	Gilding Size 4oz. container Oil-based This oil-based Gilding Size (adhesive) is designed for all interior leafing projects and is ideally suited for furniture, picture frames and objects made from plastic and wood. Gilding Size comes to tack in 2 hours and stays open for up to 4 hours. More Adhesive Sizing item # LA/4oz $ 7.00