Three Easy Parts & Items Needed To Apply Gold Leaf To Wood
The Gold leaf can be used to add charm to any furnishing item specifically when the users are having the old furnishing item and they are in urge to upgrade that. The gold leaf can be applied to any furnishing items like desks, side tables and to the cabinets as well. The users can easily apply the gold leaf to the wood item by gathering the below-mentioned materials and then following the below-described procedure:
Materials Required
- Gold Leaf
- Clear Polyurethane Sealer
- Water-Based Gilding Adhesive
- Paintbrushes & Painter’s Tape
- Cotton Gloves
Part I- Selecting The Gold Leaf
- Use The Faux Gold Leaf: For the cheap option the users can use the faux gold leaf as it can be found easily at any online sites or at craft stores. The faux gold leaf looks shiny as the original gold leaf but it costs less than the real one. The faux gold leaf is ideal to get used if the users are planning to apply the gold leaf to a larger area of the furnishing item.
- Use The Real Gold Leaf: If the users want a bright look then they need to use the real gold leaf and this can also be purchased at online stores or at the craft stores. The real gold leaf is very expensive and that is why the users need to check their budget before purchasing it. The real gold leaf is ideal to get used if the users are planning it to apply over the small area of the furnishing items.
- Purchase The 1/2 Inch Sheets: The users are advised to purchase the gold leaf in the 1/2 inch that is near about 1.3cm sheets for the effortless application. The gold leaf usually comes in the transfer sheets that can be applied easily while the loosen gold leaf can become a tricky one while working it. The users many require about 30 gold leaf sheets while covering the surface of the furnishing items.
Part II- Preparing The Wood Item
- Make The Soap Mixture: Start by cleaning up all the dust and the debris particles from the surface of the wood item by using the water and the soap mixture. Mix equal parts of the soap and the water in a bowl and then soak a microfiber cloth in the mixture and then rub it over the entire surface of the wood item. If the users are applying the gold leaf over the metal surface then they need to just wipe down its surface with simple water.
- Use The Sandpaper: If in case the wood is having the cracks or the bumps then they need to sand it down by using the fine-grit sandpaper in order to smoothen its surface. If the wood item is having the paint layer then they also need to sand down its paint surface so as to expose the bare wood. Then use the soft tack cloth so as to clean up all the sanding dust from the surface of the wood item.
- Apply The Sealant: Then they need to apply the layer of the sealant to the entire wood surface as it is porous. The users can also apply the sealant over the wood item it is unfinished so that the gold leaf will easily adhere to the wood surface. Once the users have applied the sealant layer then they need to allow the wood item to get dried off completely and then wipe down its surface when it is completely dried. If the sealant is still wet the users need to allow it to get dried off completely for almost a night.
- Use The Painter's Tape: Then the users need to use the painter's tape so as to create the design over the wood surface in order to adhere to the gold leaf. The users are advised to create the horizontal and the vertical lines with the painter's tape so as to make the simple design yet elegant one or the users can also make the circle design or any other shape in order to create the geometric designs.
Part III- Affixing The Gold Leaf
- Wear The Gloves: Start by wearing the cotton gloves so that they won't damage the gold leaf as they are very delicate and can get ripped off easily and that is why by wearing the gloves the users can easily handle the gold leaf sheets.
- Apply The Adhesive: Then they need to use the soft-bristled brush and then apply the light layer of the water build adhesive over the entire surface of the wood item. Then allow the adhesive to get dried off easily and also allow it to become tacky and this will take near about an hour.
- Affix The Gold Leaf: Then apply the one sheet of the gold leaf at one time and to do so they need to apply the gold leaf sheets over the adhesive area and then rub down the sheets over it till it gets stuck down. Then gently pull the back sheet of the leaf and then let the gold leaf to get ripped off and get stuck down with the adhesive. Repeat the same procedure while applying the gold leaf to the entire surface of the wood item. The users then need to allow the gold leaf to get dried off completely for many hours. The users are advised not to touch the gold leaf until it is not dried completely as it can end up leaving the fingerprints over its surface.
- Remove The Excess Gold Leaf: Then they need to use the soft dry brush so as to detach the unneeded gold leaf and then allow the gold leaf to get cured for almost one day as this will help the gold leaf to get adhered properly with the furniture item.
- Apply The Sealer: Finally the users need to apply a layer of the sealer over the entire surface of the gold leaf so as to protect it from flaking off respectively.