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Learn the best techniques for applying gold leaf to nearly every surface
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Gilding is an ancient practice of applying gold leaf to decorative pieces. Gold leaf is a thin layer of gold hammered into a foil sold in sheets or rolls. It can be used to decorate picture frames, books, and even food. Gilding an item requires specialized supplies, like gilding primer and a leather cushion. Fortunately, it's actually quite easy to master. All you need is an object, patience, and this guide to get started!
Gold Leaf Application: Step-by-Step
- Grab your object and cover any areas you don’t want to gild with painter’s tape.
- Sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper, if necessary.
- Prime the surface with a gilding sizer, and wait for 30 minutes so it can become tacky.
- Cut the gold leaf to size with a gilding or butter knife, if necessary.
- Gently lay the gold leaf onto the tacky areas. Press it on the surface with a brush or finger.
- Brush excess gold leaf off with a brush.
- Seal with a protective acrylic topcoat when you’re done.
Steps
Section 1 of 2:
How to Apply Gold Leaf
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Set up a clean workspace free of moving air. Gold leaf comes out best when you take your time with it—rushing leads to a clump of mess and a waste of gold. Close nearby windows and turn off fans to avoid spreading metal particles. Similarly, you may want to wear a mask and put on gloves to avoid inhaling small gold particles. -
Cover the areas you don’t want to gild with painter’s tape. If you’re adding gold leaf to a small area of your object—like a picture frame, knobs on a cabinet, or a canvas painting—use painter’s tape to cover the parts you want ungilded. Gilding is the process of applying thin sheets of gold leaf to a surface. [1] X Research source Because the tape adhesive isn’t strong, you can remove it easily without damaging anything. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Wipe the surface clean and sand it if you’re working with wood. Before priming the surface, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of any lingering debris or dust particles. For wood pieces, take a 220-grit sandpaper or less to smooth the surface. Remove the dust with a tack cloth . [3] X Research source -
Prime the surface with an adhesive, like a gilding sizer. Dip a paintbrush with a primer formulated specifically for gilding, like a gilding sizer. Wait at least 30 minutes until the sizer has dried to a clear finish. At this point, the sizer will feel tacky, which is what you want. [4] X Research source- Spray adhesives typically take 10 minutes to dry. In either case, run your knuckle down the surface of the object. If you can hear a squeak, it’s ready for gold leaf.
- Use a water-based gilding adhesive unless you’re adding gold leaf to an oil painting. Then, use an oil-based gilding adhesive .
- Alternatively, Interior Designer Patricia Penker recommends using a paint color as a base color for the gold leaf. Paint two coats of the new paint color. Once it’s dry, cover the area with a coat of adhesive.
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Cut the gold leaf to size on a gilding cushion, if necessary. Since gold leaf is easily tearable, working in small sections is best. Lay a sheet with the matte side facing up on a gilding cushion . Cut the gold leaf into smaller pieces with a gilding knife . [5] X Research source- Alternatively, you can use a sharp blade or scissors.
- Use gold leaf sheets for smaller projects, like accents in drawings or small picture frames. If you’re covering a large surface, like the countertop of a wood dresser, opt for a roll .
- Gilding cushions have a leather smooth surface that prevents leaf tearing. Degrease the leather before use with pumice powder .
- Apply the powder to the surface with a gilding knife and gently brush the excess away before laying down the leaf. [6] X Research source
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Press the leaf on the surface and brush over it with a gilder's brush. Place a small piece of leaf onto the tacky areas of the object. If you’re using a sheet with backing, apply even pressure to ensure all the adhesive is covered. Use a soft gilder’s brush or paintbrush to burnish the leaf onto the surface. This will also help remove any air pockets. If there’s backing paper, slowly lift it off. Repeat as necessary. [7] X Research source- Don’t worry if some areas overlap—excess gold leaf will brush right off.
- If the sheets don’t cover the entire surface width, arrange the pieces in a grid pattern.
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Let the leaf cure for 2-3 days before brushing off the excess. Both imitation and real gold leaf should have adequate time to cure before brushing the excess gold off. Check the sizer’s instructions before proceeding. When it’s ready, take a gilder’s brush and move it in a gentle back-and-forth motion to adhere the leaf to the object. Remember, the object should look like it’s made of gold rather than covered in gold. [8] X Research source- This process will also remove any excess gold leaf as you brush it.
- Look for any imperfections and apply small bits of leaf to cover them. Smooth and brush the new bits before proceeding. Use the excess leaf to avoid wasting the product.
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Apply an acrylic topcoat to prevent imitation gold leaf from tarnishing. Apply a liquid or spray acrylic topcoat to protect the leaf from dust, water, and UV light. Allow the topcoat to dry for five hours before placing or using the object. [9] X Research source- If you’re using genuine gold leaf, you don’t need to seal it since it won’t tarnish.
- The top coat isn’t necessary if you’re gilding perishable items like food. [10] X Research source
- If you’d like to give the surface an antique look, apply glaze with a paintbrush afterward. Move in straight lines, going back and forth as you coat the object. Wipe off excess glaze with a soft dust cloth. However, this is optional.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I paint over gold leaf with egg tempera or acrylic paint?Community AnswerYes, you can use either medium. Medieval artists would often use tempera paint on gilded icons. You can find a tutorial on using acrylic paint at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTKy5Tx9hso.
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QuestionCan I apply gold leaf over an oil painting?Community AnswerYes you can! Use a water gilding method instead of oil gilding. The gold will take instantly to any shape left on surface, such as brush strokes or indents.
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QuestionI have a 50th anniversary cup that has gold trim and lettering. Can I use an 18k gold pen to add names and if so will it stay on if washed?Community AnswerYou can use it, but you should wash it by hand only.
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Things You’ll Need
- An object to gild
- 220-grit sandpaper or less
- Gold leaf
- Gilding cushion
- Pumice powder
- Water-based gilding adhesive or oil-based gilding adhesive
- Paintbrush
- Gilding primer
- Gilder’s brush
- Tack cloth
- Gilding knife or butter knife
- Liquid or spray acrylic topcoat
- Painter’s tape
- Glaze , optional
Tips
- You can also decorate items with other metal leaves, such as silver or copper.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/art/gilding
- ↑ https://www.whatsurhomestory.com/how-to-apply-gold-foil-or-gold-leaf/
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/how-to-gold-leaf/
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/how-to-gold-leaf/
- ↑ https://watergild.com/using_goldleaf.html
- ↑ https://www.gold-vault.com/how_to_handle_the_leaf.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/i5D0WVbuvNg?t=60
- ↑ https://www.smilingcolors.com/how-to-apply-gold-leaf/
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/how-to-gold-leaf/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To apply gold leaf, start by brushing on a layer of Gilder’s primer over the area you want to gild, followed by a layer of gilding adhesive. While the adhesive is drying, cut the leaf into smaller pieces to make it easier to work with. Then, remove the leaf from the tissue paper backing, lay it over your object, and place the tissue backing on top of the gold. Press down on the tissue paper with your finger to remove any air pockets, then smooth out the leaf with a gilder’s brush. Finally, seal the gold leaf with an acrylic topcoat to protect the leaf from damage. To learn more, including how to give your gilded surface an antique look, scroll down.
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Reader Success Stories
- "This article was very helpful because I have never used gold leaf before, and I am trying to reframe an old family photo. The frame has an area that looks like gold, but I don't know exactly what the material is. Maybe I could use some kind of paint that will look like gold but easier than gold leaf. I will continue to look for a solution to my problem. Thank you for this information. It told me that I might not be ready for gold leaf." ..." more
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"This article was very helpful because I have never used gold leaf before, and I am trying to reframe an old family photo. The frame has an area that looks like gold, but I don't know exactly what the material is. Maybe I could use some kind of paint that will look like gold but easier than gold leaf. I will continue to look for a solution to my problem. Thank you for this information. It told me that I might not be ready for gold leaf."
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