Cleaning Genuine Gold and Metal Leaf Finishes

Imitation Gold Leaf finishes – sealed

Imitation gold leaf finishes will oxidize and therefore are protected with a clear varnish sealer. A regular dusting is generally all that is required. If there are areas that have been scuffed or damaged, begin with the "Damp Cleaning" method described below. If a problem persists, contact our office for specific instructions.

Genuine Gold leaf finishes – un-sealed

Genuine Gold leaf finish with a karat level of 23kt or higher will not tarnish and does not require a protective sealer. Maintenance for these genuine finishes may differ from the general maintenance list below and should be consulted on a per-project basis.

Imitation Gold & Metal Leaf Finishes — Sealed

Imitation gold leaf (also known as Composition leaf or Dutch Gold), Copper leaf, Variegated and Celestial metal leaf finishes can oxidize when exposed to air and moisture. For this reason, these finishes are normally protected with a clear varnish or protective sealer. Imitation Silver (Aluminum) does not oxidize but is generally sealed, and the maintenance program will be the same as for sealed metal leaf.

For routine maintenance, light dusting is generally all that is required. Avoid unnecessary washing or repeated wiping of the surface, as excessive cleaning can gradually dull, scratch, or wear the protective coating.

When cleaning is necessary:

• Begin with the least aggressive method – dry dusting.
• If additional cleaning is required, use the damp-cleaning procedure described below.
• Never scrub the surface or apply concentrated cleaning products directly to the finish.
• Avoid prolonged contact with water or cleaning solution.
• Immediately dry the cleaned area with a clean, soft cloth.
• Do not attempt to polish the surface to restore shine.

If the surface is scratched, scuffed, stained, discolored, or appears to have damage extending through the clear sealer, discontinue cleaning and contact us at GildedPlanet.com or a decorative-finishing professional. Further cleaning may expose or damage the underlying metal leaf.

Genuine Gold Leaf Finishes — Unsealed

Genuine gold leaf of 23 karat or higher is highly resistant to tarnishing and generally does not require a protective clear sealer.

Unsealed genuine gold leaf, however, is extremely thin and delicate. Although the gold itself is chemically stable, the physical surface can be damaged by rubbing, abrasion, aggressive dusting, or improper cleaning.

For this reason, routine wet cleaning of unsealed genuine gold leaf is not recommended unless the cleaning method has been specifically approved for the installation.

For normal maintenance:

• Remove dust only when necessary.
• Use an extremely light touch.
• Never scrub, polish, or aggressively wipe genuine gold leaf.
• Avoid repeated contact with hands, cleaning cloths, equipment, or other objects.
• Do not apply household cleaners directly to unsealed gold leaf.
• Do not attempt to remove stains, fingerprints, grease, or localized discoloration without first determining the construction and condition of the finish.

Historic, exterior, water-gilded, oil-gilded, and specialty gold leaf finishes may require different maintenance procedures. Cleaning recommendations should therefore be determined on a project-by-project basis. Contact our office for guidance specific to your installation.

General Maintenance

Routine Dusting

Dust is best removed before it accumulates sufficiently to require wet cleaning.

Use a clean, soft feather duster or other non-abrasive dusting tool. A Swiffer-type duster may also be appropriate for durable sealed finishes because it captures dust rather than simply redistributing it. Extendable dusters can be useful for high walls, ceilings, moldings, and architectural ornament.

When dusting:

• Work from the top of the surface downward.
• Use light, sweeping motions.
• Do not press the duster into carved or raised ornament.
• Do not use stiff-bristle brushes.
• Make sure the dusting tool is clean and free of grit or debris that could scratch the finish.
• Avoid repeated rubbing of corners, edges, high points, and raised ornament, which are particularly susceptible to wear.

For large architectural installations, periodic light dusting is preferable to allowing heavy deposits to accumulate.

Damp Cleaning – Sealed Finishes

For fingerprints, light surface dirt, or other contamination that cannot be removed by dusting, a sealed finish may be gently damp-cleaned.

Use a clean, soft, lint-free cloth dampened with the approved diluted cleaning solution.

The cloth should be damp, not wet. Never saturate the surface with water or cleaning solution. We caution against using a wet rag, sponge, or towel.

Recommended procedure:

1. Remove loose dust before introducing moisture.
2. Prepare the diluted cleaning solution described below.
3. Dampen a clean, soft cloth with the solution.
4. Wring the cloth thoroughly so that no liquid drips from it.
5. Gently wipe the affected area using minimal pressure.
6. Do not scrub or repeatedly rub one location.
7. Immediately follow with a separate clean, dry, soft cloth to remove residual moisture.
8. Allow the surface to air dry completely.

For an unfamiliar finish, test the cleaning method first in a small, inconspicuous area. Stop immediately if the cloth picks up color, metallic material, varnish, or other finish material, or if the surface changes in gloss or appearance.

Cleaning Solution

For sealed metal-leaf finishes requiring more than dusting, our maintenance specification calls for a 6:1 dilution:
6 parts clean water : 1 part cleaner

Acceptable cleaners include Windex, Formula 409, Fantastik, or a similar mild cleaner.

The cleaner should always be diluted before use. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the gilded surface. Apply the diluted solution to the cleaning cloth instead.
For specialty, aged, historic, or unknown finishes, confirm compatibility before using any cleaning product.

Products & Methods to Avoid

Do not use the following products on gold or metal leaf finishes unless specifically approved for a particular restoration procedure:

• Bleach or ammonia
• Mineral spirits, paint thinner, or other solvents
• Vinegar or acidic cleaners
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Pledge or similar furniture polishes
• Abrasive powders or cream cleansers
• Scouring pads or abrasive sponges
• Magic Eraser-type melamine products
• Stiff brushes
• Metal polishing compounds
• Wax or furniture polish
• Steam cleaners or pressure-washing equipment

Many products that are considered safe for ordinary painted surfaces can be too aggressive for decorative metal-leaf finishes. In particular, abrasive cleaning can alter the sheen of the clear coat or physically expose and remove the extremely thin metal leaf underneath.

Important Cleaning Precautions

• Do not soak the surface. Water should never be allowed to run into joints, cracks, seams, carved ornament, or areas where the protective coating may have been compromised.
• Do not spray cleaners directly onto the finish. Overspray can create runs, spotting, or localized concentrations of cleaning chemicals.
• Do not scrub. Persistent dirt is not an indication that additional pressure should be used.
• Do not polish metal leaf. Decorative metal leaf is fundamentally different from solid brass, bronze, or other metal surfaces and should not be treated with conventional metal polish.
• Do not clean damaged areas aggressively. Flaking, blistering, cracking, lifting leaf, exposed substrate, or deterioration of the clear coating should be evaluated before cleaning.

Scuffs, Stains & Localized Damage

For superficial marks on a sealed imitation gold or metal leaf finish, begin with the standard cleaning procedure above.

If the mark remains after gentle cleaning, stop rather than progressing to a stronger cleaner or more aggressive technique.

Persistent scuffs or discoloration may involve the clear protective coating rather than surface dirt. Repair may require localized cleaning, re-coating, glazing, touch-up gilding, or restoration of the leaf itself.

Do not attempt to repair these areas using metallic paint, wax, polish, or consumer touch-up products without first confirming compatibility with the original finish.

Aggressive Cleaning & Restoration

Cleaning beyond routine dusting and superficial damp cleaning should be considered specialized maintenance or restoration. This includes:

• Heavy grease or accumulated grime
• Water staining
• Adhesive residue
• Paint or construction splatter
• Deep scuffs or scratches
• Oxidation beneath the protective coating
• Peeling or deteriorating clear coat
• Loss of metal leaf
• Uneven gloss
• Discoloration
• Damage from previous cleaning products
• Exterior weathering
• Historic or conservation-sensitive gilding

These conditions should be evaluated individually before treatment.

Aggressive Maintenance – requiring more than superficial cleaning – is location specific.
Contact our office for specific cleaning solutions: 415.407.5097 or Ask Us »