14 Responses

1. Hello, I have a question about using compo leaf . 1 or 3 hour oil size seems to be too weak, so I tend to use 12 hour size, but this then takes so much longer to cure. Is it possible to seal the compo leaf to prevent tarnishing before doing any finshing work? Do you have any tips for speeding things up?

2. Use acrylic size, like the Manetti acrylic and seal immediately. The Manetti acrylic flows out very smoothly as opposed to others.

3. A question from Jane Henry :
   Does anyone remember a product call Leaftek. It doesn’t seem to exist anymore. It was a dry gilding stencil paper that allowed you to trace or draw on a surface, leaving a line of dry adhesive that leaf adhered to. It was really useful for laying out initial designs on flat surfaces. It was on a fairly thick Mylar or vellum like sheet that was tinted an orange-pink color, and you dusted a talc on the surface to ensure only the places you traced adhered. In any case, I’m wondering if anyone has tried making their own, or knows where something like this can still be obtained. I tried brushing and spraying adhesive on vellum and it’s too sticky, so you can’t get a fine line. Any input would be appreciated.

4. A question from John Henry:
   Re: Yellow Clay/Orangepeel
   I have completed gesso on a moulded frame and after sanding apllied yellow cone clay at a 1:3 to hide glue mixed at 28 G. to 10 oz of water. Upon applying the yellow clay it orange peeled consistently accross the frame. as per “Introduction to water gilding” I added a touch of linseed oil and alcohol to the gesso mix before straining. The linseed oil would be the only thing I would be concerned with as causing the orange peel. I have 2 coats of clay and the finish is sub par. I can sand and re do. On a test piece the gesso has good adhesion. Any ideas or recomendations to get a good finish to my bole. Thank you so much for your help-John

5. I would like to add washes of color in varying translucencies over a gilded wood panel (6k white gold).. what is the best way to seal the white gold panel before painting on washes of color? And what do you recommend for the color (lacquer, shellac, oil paint?).

   Thank you!

6. Hi Kelly, we will submit your question on Saturday October 25. Join us to hear about the options!

7. Hi, I would like to know how to get perfect squares in a grid while gilding a flat panel. Also is there a way to avoid or hide the lines where two gold leaves overlap? Thank you.

8. What are the best materials and methods to create large panels for water gilding ? Is there anything to use beyond wood?

9. I would like to tint my 12 hour oil size when doing interior projects. I am currently using cal tint yellow oxide in very very small amounts. Is there something else you would recommend or if this is acceptable, should I factor in a reduced or increased dry time for the size?

10. Hi, I have a brass scabbard to gild. I had done a sample on a piece of very smooth brass (not the actual scabbard). I used a cosmetic sponge to apply 50% 3 hour oil size diluted with 50% white spirit. Then I used a cotton cloth to wipe away the excess oil. However, after I applied the gold, I saw faint streaks/lines on the gold. I believe it was the texture from the application of the size. Also, I applied 2 layers of whitson’s universal lacquer on the gold using a paintbrush, and even though I tried to brush up and down several times before the lacquer dries, in order to minimise brushstrokes, the strokes still showed up after the lacquer dried.

    My questions:
    1. How do I apply the gilding size such that there are no textures?
    2. How to apply lacquer so that it does not leave textures?
    3. Does anyone know any harder lacquer than whitson’s universal lacquer? Something that can withstand scratches or abrasion against another piece of metal, or frequent handling?

11. I have seen gilded bathtubs in hotels, and I am very curious what type of finishing they use, in order to be waterproof, scratchproof and safe for people to bathe in! Anybody knows?

12. I have come across some examples of gilders applying kolner instalcol by spraying. These examples do not explain in detail the spraying process. Is it true that spray application of kolner instacol will achieve a very smooth surface for gilding? Can someone explain how to spray instalcol? Thank u!!

13. I have some high value projects such as gilding a private collector’s historical artifact and a large amount of crystal bottles that contain very expensive liquor. What type of insurance can an individual gilder get to cover any liabilities from accidental damage? Are there any insurance companies that will do this?

14. Hello, this is more of a business question than a technical question. We recommend that your business have general liability insurance and you may ask specific questions to your insurance broker about this scenario.