How to apply gold leaf sheets for gilding?

5 simple steps to apply Gold Leaf

(1) Prepare the surface:

The surface to be applied with gold leaf sheet should be clean and free of dust or any other substance in order to achieve the best leaf adhesion results. 

(2) Apply Leaf Adhesive:

Once the surface is prepared, apply a very thin layer of water based leaf adhesive and let it dry to become sticky. Dry time may vary depending on the weather and application surface and the instructions on the adhesive should be followed. 

Apply a very thin layer of water-based leaf adhesive and let it dry to become sticky. Dry time may vary depending on weather and application surface.

(3) Apply the leaf and burnish:

Before applying the gold leaf, make sure your hands are clean and free of any adhesive. To get the best results, apply the gold leaf to the surface carefully, preferably with a tweezers. Avoid burnishing the leaf with your hands as it can leave scratches on the gold leaf sheet.

(4) Clean excess leaf:

After you’ve applied the gold leaf on the surface, use a small and hard brush to remove the excess parts of the gold leaf sheet and clean it carefully to produce fine results.

(5) Seal the leaf:

Finally, seal the leaf with a Solvent Based Sealer / Water Based Sealer to provide a protective coat over your finished painting or artwork. The seal will maintain the gold shine for a long time and prevent it from fading away.

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