How to
Gild Ceilings and
large area surfaces
Walls, panels and
architectural areas.
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These simple
guidelines
will help you produce a
professionally finished,
large surface area, gilded project.
Gilding Ceilings and large
area surfaces - walls and
panels.
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Gilded ceilings, walls
and large surface areas has
never been easier. Genuine
Gold, silver and metal leaf
like Imitation Gold,
Aluminum and Copper are now
readily available in rolls,
also referred to as
Ribbon Leaf, cutting
your production time in half
and creating superior gilded
results. The following
tutorial describes the
step-by-step techniques
involved in gilding a
ceiling with
Silver Leaf. The same
principles apply to using
any form of leaf on a roll,
whether it is
Imitation Gold leaf,
Aluminum,
Copper or
Genuine Gold.
The working surface
should be as smooth as
possible. 2 coats of high
quality primer should be
applied, followed by 2 coats
finished paint. The base
color for the finished paint
layer varies depending on
your project requirements. A
Latex Eggshell finish will
provide superior results. To
determine a color that is
right for your project,
visit the
Gilded Planet Color learning
center.
Using a water based size,
such as
Wunda Size or
Aqua Size, allows for
easy application and
clean-up and extended 'tack'
time, allowing you to apply
your leaf in a less hurried
manner. To learn more about
water-based sizes and their
properties visit the
Water Size Center.
Apply the adhesive size with
a short nap roller. While it
is still wet, use a high
quality brush and soften and
smooth the size evenly over
the surface. With
water-based size, allow to
come to 'tack' in
approximately 1/2 hour.
'Tack' time for oil based
sizing varies depending on
the type of size used and
environmental conditions,
such as temperature and
humidity. For more
information on oil-based
sizes visit the
Oil Size Center.
When working
on large surface areas it is
recommended that you use
Ribbon Leaf. This is
available in a variety of
leaf types (visit the
Ribbon Leaf Center for
more details) and comes in a
continuous roll of
individual leaves laid
back-to-back, making
straight and long runs
easily manageable.
Carefully apply a strip
of leaf, working with one
long strip, from end to end,
or in smaller segments,
depending on your surface
area. It helps to work with
2 people, one holding the
paper while the other
carefully places the leaf in
place.
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Gilding products
at artSparx and Gildedplanet.com! |
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About Ribbon Leaf |
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Ribbon Gold
Leaf is
manufactured
by placing 4
1/8" square
leaves onto
a continuous
length of
waxed paper
with a 2mm
overlap. The
rolled paper
and the
cardboard
core are
equal in
width and
the gold
leaf is
placed
inside the
edge of the
paper.
Ribbon Leaf
can be
trimmed to
any size
required.
When
trimmed, the
gold leaf
and paper
are cut to
produce a
clean edge
of gold and
paper of the
exact width.
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After applying the leaf
to the 'sized' surface, use
a
soft 'Squirrel mop'
gilder's brush and rub over
the paper backing to insure
all the leaf is attached to
the surface. You can gently
rub the paper backing with
your fingers also - if you
are careful and do not allow
the paper backing to move or
scratch the leaf surface.
Gentle remove the paper
from the leaf, using a 'Squirrel mop'
gilder's brush. Make sure
there are no air bubbles and
the leaf is firmly attached
to the working surface.
Peel the paper backing
off slowly and carefully.
'Burnish' the surface to
remove and excess leaf,
known as skewings. Use your
soft 'Squirrel mop'
gilder's brush so you do not
scratch and dull the leaf
surface.
Touch up 'holidays'
(missed spots) with scrap
pieces of your leaf on
paper. Followed by a light
brushing again to remove any
excess and loose leaf bits.
Apply water-based
varnish, such as
Rolco Acrylic Topcoat,
using a short nap roller.
While this is still wet,
soften with a high quality
brush.
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.
Soften the varnish using
a high quality brush. Brush
in a criss-cross pattern to
smooth surface evenly.
Adhesive Sizing -
Gilded Planet Size and
Adhesive Center
Water Based -
Wunda Size or
Aqua Size
Oil Based -
Rolco or
LeFranc 3hr and 12 hr
size
Genuine and Metal Leaf on
the Roll -
Ribbon Leaf
Genuine Gold
Leaf Rolls,
Silver Leaf Rolls,
Palladium
Leaf Rolls,
Imitation
Gold Leaf
Rolls,
Aluminum
Leaf Rolls,
Copper Leaf
Rolls
Gilder's Brushes
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Squirrel mop
Sealers and Top Coat
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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.
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This
base color is also referred to as the 'Bole'
color. Traditionally, bole was made from clay.
Today paint is
typically
substituted.
One can experiment with different colors
and your choice will affect the overall
appearance of the finished product. For example,
the traditional terra-cotta color adds warmth to
both gold and silver leaf. A black 'bole' color
creates a hard, cold look - often appropriate for
Art Deco pieces, and the like. A yellow
'bole' color evens out the overall appearance,
and diminishes any cracks or 'holidays' on the
gilded surface. |
Interior
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