Applying gold leaf to your DIY projects can have a truly profound effect on the finished product. Gold leaf transforms everyday objects and gives them a stunning, upscale look.
Learning how to apply gold leaf is something pretty much anyone can do. However, there are a few steps that you’ll want to follow to ensure the project turns out as you are envisioning.
Read on to learn some tips for applying gold leaf.
Before we get into how to apply gold leaf, let’s learn a little bit more about what gold leaf is and the types of surfaces you can apply it to.
Gold leaf has a texture that resembles very thin foil. It is made by beating real gold into thin sheets (just 0.12 microns thick). Gold leaf is popular for decorative purposes. The process of applying gold leaf, often called gilding, has been used for centuries and is still performed today by experts and DIYers alike.
One of the benefits of gold leaf is that you can apply it to a wide variety of surfaces. Some examples include wood, ceramics, metal, glass, canvas, and fabric.
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Buy HereAs you’re reading through the steps for applying gold leaf outlined below, keep in mind that these steps will be the same if you want to apply other metal leaf variations. Some examples of other types of metal leaf include silver leaf, copper leaf, imitation gold leaf, and imitation silver leaf.
Knowing how to use gold leaf is important before you get started with any project.
Below are a few pointers and tips to keep in mind, especially if this is the first time you’re learning how to apply gold leaf to paper or other surfaces.
You will also want to prepare the surfaces for the gold leaf application before getting into how to apply gold leaf to metal or other surfaces. To do this, you should thoroughly clean the surface and paint it (if desired).
Use genuine gold leaf for interior or exterior gilding
Buy HereIn the next few sections, we’ll outline the steps you need to take to apply gold leaf. Before you begin, you may also want to tape off the area where you’ll be applying gold leaf to minimize the mess and allow for more precision.
The first step is to apply the adhesive to the entire surface where you’ll be applying the gold leaf. You want to apply the adhesive evenly and should only have a very thin layer.
In most cases, a water-based adhesive, also called size, will be the best choice. However, if you’re looking for how to apply gold leaf to canvas, you should use an oil-based solvent if it is an oil painting.
After you apply the adhesive, it is essential to wait until it turns clear and tacky. Generally, this should take between 15 and 30 minutes. However, the time could be shorter or longer depending on the humidity and temperature of the space where you’re working.
The next step for how to apply gold leaf to a painting or any other surface is to lay the gold sheets across the adhesive. Because of how thin and lightweight the leafing is, you may find that using tissue paper to lift it and place it over the adhesive will keep it from getting torn accidentally.
Once you place the gold leaf over the adhesive, leave the tissue paper on top to gently tap it down and help the leaf stick. It is OK if there are some wrinkles in the gold. Then, remove the tissue paper and use a a soft cotton cloth to gently smooth out the gold by rubbing across it.
Continue these steps with the other foil pieces. Just take care to avoid overlapping the pieces because they won’t stick over the other sheets.
Sometimes, you may need two coats of adhesive if there are some areas that haven’t been fully covered with adhesive. In these cases, use a little more adhesive over the bare spots, let it get tacky, and then apply a new gold leaf sheet.
When you’re searching for how to apply gold leaf flakes, the next step is to burnish the gold. Use a sheet of wax paper and a soft cloth (with the wax paper directly over the gold). Rub the two to burnish the gold, then allow everything to fully cure (three or more days is best).
Once fully cured, use a small, stiff brush to remove any excess gold from overlapping regions or the edges of the area you wanted to cover.
The final step for how to apply gold leaf to wood, glass, metal, or other surfaces is to seal the gold. Genuine gold leaf will not tarnish, but imitation leaf will, so sealing is the best choice. A clear varnish or sealer should be sufficient for this step. Once you apply a thin coat of the sealer, let it dry fully.
Gold Leaf from Barnabas Gold is easy to apply to any surface
Buy HereNow that you’ve had a chance to learn more about applying gold leaf, hopefully you realize that you can give the technique a try even if you’re not experienced. With some practice and patience, you’ll be able to transform the look of a picture frame, vase, canvas, or another object with gold leaf.
We have a dedicated log post on how to apply imitation gold leaf, so go check it out.
Are you excited to try your first gold leafing project?
The right gold leaf adhesive may vary depending on the specific project you are completing. When you’re looking for how to apply gold leaf to glass, wood, metal, canvas, or another material, there are two main adhesive types (also called sizes) you can choose from: water-based adhesive or oil-based adhesive. Before you choose a leaf adhesive, consider the material type. For example, if you are applying a gold sheet over oil paint, you will need to use an oil-based adhesive. In most other cases, water-based adhesive will be OK.
Do you need adhesive for gold leaf?Yes, when you’re looking for how to gold leaf, you will need adhesive. You’ll want to use an adhesive, or sizing, specifically designed for leafing. In most cases, a water-based adhesive is best. However, if you are applying gold leaf over oil paint or some other surfaces, you should use an oil-based adhesive.
Can you apply gold leaf outside?Gold leaf can be applied outside, but its durability and longevity can be affected by the environmental conditions and the specific application.
GOLD LEAF… those two words can stop a gold lover dead in their tracks. I’m that gal! This shiny metal leaf (I’m using imitation gold leaf)) that can literally float in the air and is nothing less than magnificent on almost any surface. It adds a bit of glamour to whatever it touches. In today’s post, I will show you how to apply gold leaf to almost anything. If you LOVE gold, this is for you.
This post contains a few affiliate links to help you find the products I use. You are not charged extra to use any of the links, but any income I make will be used for more fun DIY projects that I can share with you! To see my full disclaimer, click here.
To start with, my client brought me three HUGE oriental mirrors. WOW! That was my first thought. WOW! Was my second, third, and last thought. Applying gold leaf is pretty straightforward, but it takes a certain amount of WOWs to complete this size project.
Adhesives matter. With an artist’s brush, apply the adhesive (it looks milky in appearance when you first apply it, and then it turns clear as it becomes tacky) to your project. Wait until the appropriate time for it to become tacky enough before applying the gold leaf. The instructions say anywhere from 15-30 minutes. That will depend on the temperature and humidity of the environment that you’re working in. My wait time was about 5-10 minutes in a 74-degree room. If the gold leaf is applied before the glue is tacky, it will not adhere. Carefully tap your finger on the surface after the adhesive has become clear to check if it has become tacky. This is the best way to know. Do not allow the glue to pool in areas. This will affect dry time as well.
Once the adhesive is ready, “tacky,” gently lay the gold leaf sheet across the surface. I like to do this in small areas so that I have more control. Use a soft-bristle paintbrush to gently smooth over the surface so that the metal leaf comes in full contact with the glue. When you’re working with an uneven surface, you will need to use additional sheets. Full coverage can be tricky, and subtle cracks are almost always viable. If you don’t get the coverage, you want the first try…no worries. Just apply more glue and gold leaf over those areas. You can see how this could become time-consuming. That was my second WOW!
*Full disclosure… I wore gold leaves on my legs for days and didn’t even know it until my neighbor noticed. The adhesive works!
Imitation Gold Leaf and Copper will tarnish, so it’s important to use a varnish or sealer over the top of these to prevent the tarnishing process. My go-to topcoat for metal leafing is Master Clear. I also use this topcoat on my metallic paint finishes as well. It’s good stuff! Apply a thin coat and allow it to dry. I only applied the gold leaf to the details on this mirror after painting the background areas with Dixie Belle’s Caviar (black), a flat chalk mineral paint. I did not apply a top coat to the painted surface… that’s why I used my artist brush. That was my 3rd WOW!
I used my usual Paintbrush when top-coating the gold leaf on the frame. Apply two coats of the Master Clear with light sanding after the first. I find this works well on larger pieces that are likely to have high traffic. Since these are mirrors, they will need extra protection from frequent cleaning if you’re doing a small project like a picture frame. One coat is fine.
If you’re asking yourself, “did she gold leaf all three mirror frames?” The answer is yes! That was my last WOW. There’s no denying that applying gold leaf adds glamour and sophistication to just about anything it touches, and these are certainly swoon-worthy, in my opinion.
It really is easy. Try a small project first and before you know it, you’ll be gold leafing like a pro in no time at all. Try it on a glass vase!
Hey, thanks for hanging out with me today; I hope this inspires a gold leaf project for you, and I would love to hear any feedback, good, bad, or ugly, in the comment section. Tell me what you think.
Until the next project… xo, Do