How To Apply Gold Leaf (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Lay Gold Leaf onto Any Surface PDF download Download Article Learn the best techniques for applying gold leaf to nearly every surface Co-authored by Patricia Penker and Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: April 21, 2024 Fact Checked

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  • Applying Gold Leaf
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This article was co-authored by Patricia Penker and by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Patricia Penker is an Interior Designer and the Owner of Exclusively To Design, one of the top residential design companies in South Florida. With over 25 years of experience, Patricia specializes in interior design, interior decorating, and home staging. Patricia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Certificate in Digital Design and 3D Modeling from CADDTrain. Patricia’s interior designs have been featured on HGTV’s Rip and Renew and Save My Bath and in celebrity homes. Exclusively To Design has been recommended on Houzz, Expertise - Best Home Staging in Miami and Best Interior Designers in Miami, and Best of HomeGuide. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 316,517 times.

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

  1. Grab your object and cover any areas you don’t want to gild with painter’s tape.
  2. Sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper, if necessary.
  3. Prime the surface with a gilding sizer, and wait for 30 minutes so it can become tacky.
  4. Cut the gold leaf to size with a gilding or butter knife, if necessary.
  5. Gently lay the gold leaf onto the tacky areas. Press it on the surface with a brush or finger.
  6. Brush excess gold leaf off with a brush.
  7. Seal with a protective acrylic topcoat when you’re done.

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

How to Apply Gold Leaf

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  1. Step 1 Set up a clean workspace free of moving air. 1 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.
  2. Step 2 Cover the areas you don’t want to gild with painter’s tape. 2 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] Because the tape adhesive isn’t strong, you can remove it easily without damaging anything.[2] Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Wipe the surface clean and sand it if you’re working with wood. 3 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]
  4. Step 4 Prime the surface with an adhesive, like a gilding sizer. 4 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]
    • 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.[5]
  5. Step 5 Cut the gold leaf to size on a gilding cushion, if necessary. 5 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.[6]
    • 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.[7]
  6. Step 6 Press the leaf on the surface and brush over it with a gilder's brush. 6 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.[8]
    • 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.
  7. Step 7 Let the leaf cure for 2-3 days before brushing off the excess. 7 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.[9]
    • 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.
  8. Step 8 Apply an acrylic topcoat to prevent imitation gold leaf from tarnishing. 8 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.[10]
    • 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.[11]
    • 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.
    9. Advertisement
Section 2 of 2:

What surfaces can you use gold leaf on?

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  1. Gold leaf can be applied to virtually any surface. Gold leaf can be applied to virtually any surface. Want to decorate the edges of old books? Or transform old porcelain plates with a unique gold leaf design? You can! Gold leaf has been used as a decorative art since the ancient Egyptians. It can be used on paper, wood, ceramic, glass, textiles, and metal surfaces to elevate the appearance of mundane items.[12]

Community Q&A

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  • Question Can I paint over gold leaf with egg tempera or acrylic paint? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8
  • Question Can I apply gold leaf over an oil painting? Community Answer Community Answer Yes 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 16
  • Question I 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 Answer Community Answer You can use it, but you should wash it by hand only. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 8
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Video

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 Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/art/gilding
  2. ↑ https://www.whatsurhomestory.com/how-to-apply-gold-foil-or-gold-leaf/
  3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/how-to-gold-leaf/
  4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/how-to-gold-leaf/
  5. ↑ Patricia Penker. Interior Designer. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://watergild.com/using_goldleaf.html
  7. ↑ https://www.gold-vault.com/how_to_handle_the_leaf.html
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/i5D0WVbuvNg?t=60
  9. ↑ https://www.smilingcolors.com/how-to-apply-gold-leaf/
More References (3)
  1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/how-to-gold-leaf/
  2. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/bronsons-last-call-gold-leaf
  3. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/art/gold-leaf

About This Article

Patricia Penker Co-authored by: Patricia Penker Interior Designer This article was co-authored by Patricia Penker and by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Patricia Penker is an Interior Designer and the Owner of Exclusively To Design, one of the top residential design companies in South Florida. With over 25 years of experience, Patricia specializes in interior design, interior decorating, and home staging. Patricia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Certificate in Digital Design and 3D Modeling from CADDTrain. Patricia’s interior designs have been featured on HGTV’s Rip and Renew and Save My Bath and in celebrity homes. Exclusively To Design has been recommended on Houzz, Expertise - Best Home Staging in Miami and Best Interior Designers in Miami, and Best of HomeGuide. This article has been viewed 316,517 times. 4 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10 Updated: April 21, 2024 Views: 316,517 Categories: Gold Article SummaryX

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. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Carol Garr

    Carol Garr

    Aug 25, 2017

    "This article was very helpful because I have never used gold leaf before, and I am trying to reframe an old family..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Patricia Penker Co-authored by: Patricia Penker Interior Designer Co-authors: 10 Updated: April 21, 2024 Views: 316,517 100% of readers found this article helpful. 4 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Carol Garr

Carol Garr

Aug 25, 2017

"This article was very helpful because I have never used gold leaf before, and I am trying to reframe an old family..." more Rated this article: Share yours!

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