Genuine Gold Leaf & Foils

Instructions for adding loose leaf:- More information about Gilding is available under the title "Practical Gilding" which is available in our Bookshop under the craft section. (For full instructions, Practical Gilding Prepare And Prime The Surface Lightly sand the surface to be gilded ensuring it has a rough texture to adhere to, or if necessary apply a suitable primer. It is important that the surface to be gilded onto is non porous otherwise the gilding "size" will soak into the substrate and the gold, silver leaf or metal leaf will not adhere. Apply Adhesive Size Apply the chosen size to the substrate with a good size brush in thin, even coats. The size will dry to a "tack" which will feel slightly sticky. It is then ready to receive the leaf. It is important not to lay the leaf when the size is still wet. Apply the chosen size to the substrate with a good size brush in thin, even coats. When the size has dried to a tack. It is then ready to receive the leaf. It is important not to lay the leaf when the size is still wet. Applying The Leaf If you are using loose leaf, gently lift the leaf from the booklet using a squirrel gilders tip or other soft brush and tamp the leaf onto the area which has been sized. Some care will be required in the delicate process.Gently using a soft mop brush wipe away the loose pieces. Finishing After all the leaf is laid, leave the item for a few hours to allow the size to dry beneath the leaf and using a soft mop brush away all the loose skewings (odd bits of leaf that are attached on the overlaps). Brush over the whole surface lightly to create a soft burnish on the leaf. If there are any gaps in the leaf, these can be touched up using the skewings. We hold stock of three different kinds of genuine Gold products: The first two are in booklets of 25 sheets of gold LEAF, available in 22 Carat Single or 23.5 Carat Double. The other is a genuine 22 Carat dull gold FOIL available on rolls in multiples of of 25mm x 1m lengths. If you have any questions relating to these, then please contact us on 0161 480 8484 or email sales@ratchford.co.uk.