Using painter’s tape, I created a line across the planters. However, it is often desirable to apply a protective coat of sealer to insure durability of the leaf, particularly in high traffic areas or for heavy use objects and furniture. Is it odd for a person in my age bracket to work puzzles and use adult coloring books? We are often asked if it is possible to paint on top of gold leaf with acrylic paints and whether it is necessary to seal the gold leaf before doing so. Also, since you're applying *something* only to one side of the paper, it's possible that drying/shrinking/etc on one side only may cause the paper to curl while drying so you might want to hold it down at the edges or somehow attach it to something stiff (with temporary adhesive maybe) while it dries to prevent that. (Or maybe your "paper" is already thick and stiff so not a problem.). Craftsmen make gold leaf by hammering gold into tissue-thin sheets. Lay your gilding sheet on top of your Mod Podge, press firmly, and let dry (30 minutes or so). Gold Leaf sheets Two paintbrushes (at least one must be soft) Painter’s tape. Polish the sealed surface with oil-free 0000 steel wool and remove any dust and debris before applying gold leaf size with a brush. Gold leafing (or silver, bronze and tin leafing) can be used in a variety of settings and mediums such as signs, on windows, on metal surfaces and other gilded decorations. Because the tape adhesive isn’t very strong, you can remove the tape easily without damaging anything. Depending on how large the furniture item is, you may end up using about 20-30 sheets of gold leaf. What is the best paper craft for a beginner to try doing? Palettes; Japan Oil Colours; Palette Knives ; Brown Ox Hair - Flat Brush; Thinners; Step 4: Further Processes. I would strongly suggest you do tests with the product and the paper, including whether the varnish lifts the leaf by attacking the adhesive/shellac holding it down and whether it rubs off after thoroughly drying. Or perhaps apply a coat of the sealer to the other side later and hope they'll cancel each other out. When working with gold leaf, close doors and windows to eliminate drafts. Be sure that if purchasing the gold leaf from a non-cooking source that it is an edible-quality gold leaf. The short answer is: intermediate coatings are required on most imitation leafs, before painting with acrylics, in … The only problem is, everything I can find on sealing gold leaf says I should use a polyurethane coat, but I'm not sure that would be a great idea for a few details on paper, and seems more suited for a completely-gilded crafts project. Make sure that the object you are gilding is clean and dry and free from dust. Gold leaf is chemically inert (aside from immersion in Aqua Regia, a combo of hydrochloric and nitric acids). A non-reactive, water clear sealer for metal leaf is the best choice. Buy 23 or 24 carat "water gilding" or "surface" gold leaf - not "patent" gold leaf. After the leaf has been adhered to the surface, gently rub the leaf with a gilder's brush. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Gold leaf is made through a beating process, historically done by hand with various weight hammers. Genuine Gold Leaf with a karat rating of 22kt or higher (22kt, 23kt, 23.5kt, 23.75kt, 24kt) does not require sealing. Types of Glue to Use for Gold Leafing. PREPARING GOLD LEAF. It may be best to try to apply the sealer only on the leaf, esp. They’re the white gold of houseplants. Generally, if using a genuine gold leaf with a rating higher than 22 karat, sealing is not absolutely necessary. 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