These simple GildedPlanet guidelines will help you produce a professionally finished exterior gilded project.

Exterior Gold Leafing Techniques Choosing your Gold content and weight Gold Content Leaf Thickness and Weight Application Techniques   Apply genuine 23.5kt or 23kt gold leaf Prime the metal surface with an appropriate metal primer Apply gilding size (adhesive) Burnish leaf Sealing your gilt surface Antiquing Methods

Gilded Building details made from wood, stone, fiberglass and metal take on the dynamic qualities of gold - its luster and color. The correct selection of gold leaf, its gold content and thickness, will ensure a long lasting gilded ornament.

Gold Content

Gold leaf is manufactured in a wide range of colors and karats. Leaf made from 100% gold is 24kt. To produce a wide variety of colors, copper and silver is mixed with gold. When copper is added, the leaf becomes warmer and richer in tone. When silver is added, the leaf becomes paler in tone. The addition of these other metals lowers the karat value of gold leaf. Gold leaf is manufactured in a range from 9kt "White" to 24kt "Fine Gold".

Gold is completely resistant to corrosion. The addition of silver and copper lowers the resistance of gold leaf to corrosion. However, the copper or silver in 23.75kt or 23kt leaf is so low that it will maintain its integrity outdoors for 30 years or more. A dome, building detail, metal fence or outdoor statue will require a 23kt to 23.75kt leaf that ranges from 96% to 98.5% in purity. Karats less than 23 are recommended for indoor use and many colors and karats are available.

Leaf Thickness and Weight

Leaf thickness is best described as grams per 1,000 leaves. This measurement is used to compare one variety with another. The approximate weight of leaf for an outdoor surface is 18 to 23 grams per 1,000 leaves. The heavier the leaf, the longer it will repel the abrasive effects of snow, rain, wind, dust and sand particles.

When selecting gold leaf for an exterior architectural project, look first for the gold content and gram weight. A 23kt to 23.75kt gold leaf weighing 18 to 23 grams/1000 leaves properly applied will shine for decades.

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

For exterior purposes, LeFranc Mixtion 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.

Genuine Gold Leaf

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.

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.

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