Prime the metal surface with an appropriate metal primer
	Apply gilding size (adhesive)
	Testing The Tack
	Apply Genuine Gold, Silver or Metal leaf
	Burnish leaf
	Sealing your gilt surface
	Antiquing Methods

Priming metal surface

It is necessary to apply a high quality metal primer over your metal surface to insure the gold layer has an appropriate surface to rest on. We recommend a product specially formulated for exterior gilding on metal manufactured by a company called Rolco. The 'Rolco Burnish Sealer' is a primer-sealer specially designed for use under gilding size (adhesive). It is available in 3 colors, Red, Gray and Ochre. For traditional gilding use either Red or Ochre colors as a base for genuine gold leaf. This product creates a high quality, smooth surface for gilding.

Sizing, or gilding adhesive

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. When applying Genuine Gold, Silver or Metal leaf over metal, LeFranc Mixtion 3 hour or 12 hour size is recommended. This is a traditional, clear, natural, oil based size made in France. LeFranc has earned the reputation of being the best oil size available and experienced Gilders request LeFranc for their most important projects.

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.   size3LF8 8.4 oz. $ 17.00 size3LF33 33.9 oz. $ 39.00

UPS Ground shipping only Shipping Restriction information More adhesive sizing

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 Aluminum Leaf, visit the artSparx advanced gilding tutorials at the artSparx Gilded Corner.

Genuine Gold Leaf

Exterior Metal Surfaces:
Also visit the Gilding Exterior Surfaces tutorial

23.5 karat genuine gold leaf is recommended for exterior gilt surface. It is also OK to use 23 karat leaf, though anything less pure may provide inadequate results, lack of durability and longevity. Genuine 23.5 kt gold leaf is available in individual sheets (3 3/8" x 3 3/8"), Patent leaf (each individual sheet is attached to a piece of wax paper for easier handling), and Rolls of genuine gold, 4 1/8" leaf on a continuous roll of 68ft. For exterior gilding using Patent Gold leaf is infinitely more efficient, as you can handle and manipulate the leaf with ease due to the gold being attached to the paper surface.

Interior Metal Surfaces:

When applying leafing products to interior metal surfaces any karat of gold may be used and should be determined by the final color, luster and treatment required for your project. To review types of gold, or request a complete Gold Color chart. The Gilded Planet color charts are hand made using actual leaf samples, oil gilded on white paper. The gold charts indicate alloy, grams per 1000 leaves and fine gold content.

Surface leaf: Placing a book of leaf in your hand, carefully fold back the protective paper to expose the 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 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.

Burnishing

A soft hair Squirrel mop (brush) is recommended to remove excess leaf and 'polish' the surface. You can complete this process by using soft cotton, to remove any excess gold pieces and create the finished, burnished gold appearance. Regular cotton balls or lambs wool mitt will provide excellent results.

Sealing your gilt surface -

Genuine 23.5 kt or 23 kt leaf does not need to be sealed on exterior surfaces - more about Gold Leaf Content. However, it is sometimes desired to seal high traffic areas that have been gilt outside.
For interior use and imitation metal leaf you can use Rolco Acrylic Topcoat - (available in High gloss and Semi-gloss)
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.

Antiquing Methods - OPTIONAL

Gold Leaf Techniques Silver Leafing Techniques 7 Essential Steps for Perfect Gilding Gilding Terms Antiquing Methods Gilding Books artSparx.com artSparx Store Step-by-Step Tutorials Ask artSparx

Transform everyday objects into heirlooms.
The process known as Gilding simply means the application of
gold or silver leaf to a surface that has been properly prepared with
an adhesive known as 'gold size'. 

 

Silver leafing techniques	Gold leafing techniques
Silver Leafing & Aluminum Leafing Silver leafing can add charm and personality to even the most ordinary objects.	Gold Leafing Composition & Imitation Gold Leafing Gold Leafing might be just the right accent you're looking for! These straight forward step-by-step methods helps get the job done right.

Aluminum Leaf Dutch Gold or composition leaf Aluminum Leaf imitates the illusion of genuine Silver, at a fraction of the cost. Each individual sheet is bigger and easier to handle then its genuine counter part. Purchase Aluminum Leaf Purchase 23 kt. Leaf The same applies for 'Dutch Gold', or 'Composition Leaf'. But due to the large brass content, this imitation gold must have a sealer applied to prevent tarnishing, unlike genuine gold leaf. Purchase Composition Leaf Purchase 23 kt. Leaf Interior Style design features Have a question? Ask artSparx   Ask your gilding questions at the exclusive Ask artSparx question and answer forum! Decorative paint and glazing techniques