|
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.
|
GildedPlanet Special |
LeFranc 3
Hour Size
is suitable
for interior
and exterior
work. It
reaches tack
in 3-5 hours
depending on
film
thickness,
temperature
and
humidity.
After
reaching the
proper
gilding
tack, it
will remain
open for
gilding with
genuine gold
leaf for 4-6
hours. The
open time
for gilding
with metal
leaf is
shorter,
since metal
leaf is
brittle and
heavier.
Allow the
gilded
surface to
cure one
week before
sealing or
glazing.
|
8.4 oz. |
$ 17.00 |
 |
|
16.9 oz. |
$ 28.00 |
 |
|
33.9 oz. |
$ 39.00 |
 |
|

UPS
Ground
shipping
only
Shipping
Restriction
information
There are no
shipping
restrictions
on
water based
size.
More
adhesive
sizing |
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 Silver Leaf,
visit the artSparx
advanced gilding
tutorials at the
artSparx Gilded Corner.
Step 6: Applying Silver Leaf
Surface leaf:
Placing a book of leaf
in your hand, carefully
fold back the protective
paper to expose the
Silver 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 Silver 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.
|
Individual books
of Genuine Silver
Leaf |
|
Genuine
Silver Leaf
book
Loose Leaf
and Patent Leaf
25 leaves
per book. 3
3/8 inch
square.
Leaf
coverage
approx. 1.98
sqft.
For
additional
information
visit the
Gold Leaf Basics
Center
Silver
Leaf -
Patent
MO00.00SVPA_bk |
$ 36.00 |
Back
Order |
Silver
Leaf -
Loose
IT00.00SV/b |
$ 32.00 |
 |
|
Step 7: 'Burnishing'
the leaf -After the leaf is laid on, rub gentle and thoroughly with a
soft
squirrel 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 9: Seal and protect the gilded
surface |
|
It is necessary to apply a
protective coat of
sealer to prevent
tarnishing and
oxidation of the
Silver leaf. A
sealer also insures
durability of the
leaf, particularly
in high traffic
areas or for heavy
use objects and
furniture. Specially
formulated for use
over genuine or
metal leaf surfaces,
Rolco's Acrylic Topcoat is a non-reactive, premium water
clear sealer for genuine and metal leaf. Made from acrylic
copolymers, Acrylic Topcoat provides protection from
abrasion, water and ultra violet light. This solvent based
sealer resists chemicals and may be applied by brush or
spray. Available in Gloss and Satin finishes. |

Elegantly gilt
plaster medallions,
moldings. cornices
and trim.
Visit
www.architecturalFX.com |
Step 10: Apply antique glaze -
OPTIONAL
|

Antiquing and aging your leafed
surface adds character and old
world charm. For antiquing recipes
for gilded surfaces visit the
artSparx
Antiquing Center. |
These
step-by-step
Gilding tutorials
includes:
-
Insuring your
leafed surface is
ready to be
antiqued.
-
Antiquing and
aging your leafed
surface.
-
Using oil-based or
acrylic based
paints
-
Color mixing
recipe
-
Application
Procedures
-
Clean up and
detailing your
object.
Learn how now
|
For more detailed
gilding methods, photos,
tips and techniques
visit the gilding
tutorials at
artSparx Gilded Corner. |