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Gilding Equipment

Materials

The materials needed for gilding arevaried but they are readily availablefrom craft shops due to the increasingpopularity of this time-honoureddecorative technique.

Bronze, aluminium and silverpowders: can be mixed with varnish orblown or brushed on to size. They canhe used to colour design work, or onsmall objects with fine detail.

Gesso: this fine chalk powder is thekey ingredient of gesso solution. Whiteor coloured ready-made acrylic gessosare also now available.

Gold leaf: gold leaf is available asloose- or transfer leaf. Both types comein books of 25 leaves. Gold leaf isavailable in many tones, weights andthicknesses and is classed in carats.Gold and silver paints: these are madein the same way as liquid leaf but fromcheaper materials. They are useful fordecorative painting.

Liquid leaf: this mixture of metallicpowder and deep red primer can beused to cover a wide variety of surfaces.It comes in many shades.

Methylated spirit (paint thinner): thisspirit is used to clean brushes afterusing polishes and some oil-basedprimers. It is also used to dilute gildingwater and for distressing gilded surfaces.Oil paints: there are many differenttypes of oil paints. The more expensivethey are the more intense and fast thecolours.

Rabbit skin glue: this comes in granuleform and constitutes part of the mix forgesso and gilding water.

Red oxide metal primer: this primer isthe ideal base coat for metal beforeapplying paint or substitute leaf. Itprevents rust and allows paint to taketo the surface.

Dutch metal leaf: this looks like goldleaf but is much cheaper and is madefrom a copper and zinc ahoy. It is

available in 15 cm/6 in square sheets.Shellac and polishes: used to seal andprotect gold but be aware that they willaffect the colour.

Silver, copper and aluminium leaf:15 cm/6 in square. Buy in hooks of25 to 500 loose or transfer leaves.Spray paints: oil- and water-based,these come in a vast range of coloursincluding tones of gold, silver andmetallic copper.

Talc: used in a pounce hag to makesure that the area is clean and that theleaf will adhere only to the sized areas.Water-based size: a fast-dryingsynthetic size that sets tacky after 15 to20 minutes. It can be used for oilgilding and with bronze powders andsubstitute leaf.

Waxes: clear and coloured waxes areavailable and are used as sealants or toprotect gilded objects. Use colouredwaxes to subtly change the tone of agilded object.

Equipment

Some of the equipment needed forgilding is specialized but once you havebought it, it will last for a long time aslong as it is looked after properly.Agate burnishers: these are made froma small piece of agate mounted in brasson a wooden handle and are availablein various sizes and shapes.

Bain marie (double boiler): use for melting beeswax pellets, ready-madegessos and sizes. You could improviseyour own by placing a saucepan overanother one containing plenty of boiling water.

Brushes: different brushes arc neededfor different purposes. Before youstart a project, ensure you have thefollowing: badger brushes forsoftening glazes and varnishes; bristleand decorator's brushes in varyingwidths for applying paints andvarnishes; gilder's tips to pick up realgold leaf before applying it ro a surface; sable brushes for detailedpainting, and stippling brushes fortaking dust off glazes.

Cloths: cotton rags are the best type ofcloths for use in gilding and producingother decorative finishes. Small cottondusters are ideal for gently burnishingdelicate surfaces.

Cotton balls: use these for pressing realgold leaf into place and for smallcleaning jobs.

Gilder's knife: used to cut loose-leaf.Gilder's pad: a soft pad surroundedby a screen of parchment or a similarpaper screen to shield delicate goldleaf from drafts.

Gloves: use disposable gloves forsmaller decorative gilding jobs.

Glues: epoxy resin glue, rubber-basedglue and white glue are all useful indecorative work.

Mask: always wear a face mask whenworking with bronze powders, spraysand some oil-based glazes.

Measuring tools, pens and pencils:

these are necessary for positioning andmeasuring when stencilling and doingdecorative painting.

Natural sponge: used ro produce avariety of decorative finishes.

Paint kettles: available in metal orplastic for mixing paints and glazes.Oil-based paints and glazes shouldnot be stored in plastic.

Sandpaper: comes in different gradesfor smoothing as well as producing anadhesive key for finishes. Wet-and-drysandpaper is the best type for use on furniture and other items to be gilded.Scalpels and craft knives: collectvarious types for decorative work.Stencil card: this specialist card madefrom manilla coated in boiled oil isused for making your own stencils.Wire (steel) wool: comes in differentgrades for smoothing and providing akey for finishes. It is also used fordistressing gilded surfaces

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