Transform Ordinary Objects into Outstanding Objects with this Easy Gold Leaf Effect Gilding. Open the World of Gilding to Embellish Objects, Artworks, Cards, Phones – Whatever!
Restoration, antiquing, faux finish and book binding are easy with this complete gold leaf set. On the other hand, you can add a little Glamorous Gold / Bling to any everyday item and transform it into a special work of art…
Step by Step Guide to Successful Gilding:
- Prepare the surface well – your gilded surface will reflect any imperfection so fill and sand to your perfect finish, then ensure that the surface is clean and ready for even adherence by the foil.
- Size the readied surface with Pebeo Gilding Paste, a water-soluble adhesive that has a long tacky period during which the foil may be mounted. Porous surfaces may require more than one coat. Be careful to apply the Pebeo Gilding Paste smoothly as any dribbles and brush strokes will be obvious after the Gold foil is applied! Use water to clean the Gilding Paste from the brush.
- Take care with the loose foil, light cotton gloves help but you also need to have a calm workspace to avoid drafts wrapping the foil around itself.
- Use a very soft Squirrel hair paint brush to smooth out the fragile foil over the object
- Overlap sheets slightly and fill any gaps with fragments of foil to ensure the coverage effects you desire.
- Finish off by burnishing (polishing to a shine) the surface with a soft light coloured pencil – the gold colour shines brightly adding beautiful rich sparkle.
Alternatively you could keep it really simple the first few times that you Gild:
- Brush Gilding Paste over the clean, dry objects and leave for about 15 minutes.
- Place a Gold leaf on the object and brush gently with the very soft Squirrel hair brush.
- Depending on the surface shapes you may need to use smaller pieces of Gold leaf to fill gaps.
- Polish with a soft cotton cloth.
- More Gold leaf can be applied to cover any gaps.
Optionally varnish or patina over the finished surface to protect or vary the effect. To see examples of each stage of a gilding project visit the authors website.
