Metallic surfaces add an instant touch of glamour. If you’ve ever wanted to try a little DIY glam, we found these step by step instructions on how to gild in the latest issue of Notebook. We’ve always wondered how hard this was to do. It looks slightly fiddly and you need a few task specific supplies, but it doesn’t seem completely daunting. You could start small with a frame or get really adventurous and give new life to an old chair or side table. Start practising now for homemade Christmas gifts. Tips below.
How To: Make something gilded
Melbourne
Read the full instructions here.
GILDING tips [From Notebook Magazine]
- Gold size is a thin, runny glue. If you’re working on an object that needs to stay upright, such as the lamp, work from the top down to prevent drips running over freshly applied metal leaf.
- Gilding can be a messy job due to the tiny fragments of feather-light metal leaf. Make sure your work surface is easy to clean, in a draught-free space and away from food preparation areas.
- Gesso is generally red – a colour that works to bring out the warmth in gold. Blue or black gesso works better as an undercoat for silver and aluminium leaf.
- The leaf will begin to adhere to the size the moment it comes into contact; try to position each leaf in the correct place before allowing it to come into contact with the prepared surface.
- Invest in good-quality brushes designed to prevent shedding as any hairs that catch in the gesso or size will show through the gilding, spoiling the finish.
- The natural oils found on your skin can discolour some types of metal leaf. Soft cotton gloves offer the best protection, but if you find yourself without, simply wash your hands, dry thoroughly and dust with talcum powder.
If anyone has tried this, can you offer any further tips?
[ Image from Notebook Magazine]
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Excellent post, thanks.
It may be cheating but gilding paints can also give a really good effect: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2008/07/do-it-yourself-gild-a-decorative-screen/
view ChrisToronto's profile
I turned a mirror from gold to silver. Twice, because the first time the whole leaf n' glue mess fell right off the metal frame, and I had to do it again. The second time, I sanded the frame first to give the glue something to hold to.
I've also used the paint, and it's very effective but you have to be very careful. It will stick to anything and it will not come off. It's not like regular paint that if you drip somewhere you can just wipe up right away.
view Risaplata's profile
Use a gentle touch - you can use a dry brush with the tinyest amount of vaseline on the tips (put some on your wrist and then wipe the tips in it gently) to pick up the leaf, and then don't breath too hard as it is very featherlight stuff and will move around a lot in the air. Lay the leaf down from the top, with your hands and the brush above the work you're doing, so the leaf can hang naturally and without creases before you lay it onto your project. But don't be scared of the leaf. It is possible to fill in any holes that may form after you've done most of the surface with smaller pieces of leaf.
Try practicing on something fun and disposable like a leaf from a tree, or a walnut shell, or a blown eggshell.
view rorosto's profile
I do a lot of decorative gilding for a furniture company. These are all great tips.
I would also suggest a good dust mask. Metal leaf often contains copper which is VERY bad to breath in.
Instead of removing each individual leaf and then placing it on your surface it is better to simply press the leaf on directly from the booklike packaging the metal leaf is in. It will keep the metal leaf from wrinkling.
Get a dust buster.
Shellac the work afterwards. It will keep the leaf from rubbing off.
For a more opaque look instead of an undercoat of red try gold paint and then Gold leaf.
Sizing comes in many different formulas from quick to slow drying depending on your needs. You can also buy it in spray form if you want to avoid brush strokes in your final application. (they ALWAYS show through your leaf)
view Comicgeek's profile