Woodturner's Resource
Woodturner's Resource  
  • Featured Artist    • Websites   Support Wr
Tutorials, Projects & Tips   • Event Calendar   • Tool and Book Store
  Home Page Forum HelpSearch Map TPT Resources LoginRegister
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Gold Leaf embellishment questions (Read 1,007 times)
 
Ricc Havens
Full Member
**
Offline


WR Rocks!

Posts: 50

Gender: male
Gold Leaf embellishment questions
May 23rd, 2017 at 9:30am
 
Looking to do a gold leaf rim embellishment on a walnut bowl or two. What is the process you guys use?

Do you completely finish the bowl with a topcoat before applying the sizing/adhesive? Or, do you leave the wood raw in the area the sizing will be applied?

I assume you don't topcoat the gold leaf with poly - is that correct?

Any other suggestions, hints, tips, etc?

I searched youtube but didn't find much. So, if anyone has links to other available videos online or club handouts, etc that can be downloaded it would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
Ricc
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Ed Weber
WR Administrator
WR Patron
*****
Offline



Posts: 8,937

Wilton, California, USA
Wilton
California
USA

Gender: male

JET 1642
Grizzly G0584
Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #1 - May 23rd, 2017 at 9:47am
 
There is almost too much to explain.
Here is a site with info and videos on how to gild
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Ricc Havens
Full Member
**
Offline


WR Rocks!

Posts: 50

Gender: male
Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #2 - May 24th, 2017 at 8:07am
 
Thanks Ed!!!
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Ken Vaughan
WR Addict
*****
Offline


Still learning

Posts: 3,685

Juneau, Alaska, USA
Juneau
Alaska
USA

Gender: male

Stubby 750
Jet 1014 vs
Bonnie Klein Lathe

Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #3 - May 24th, 2017 at 12:05pm
 
Ricc

I think gold leaf looks best if left uncoated.   There is a huge BUT that goes with that.

The but has to do with wear and maintenance/cleaning.   Gold leaf (the real stuff) is very thin and soft.  It wears easily and damages with rough handling or agressive (careless) cleaning.

Coatings change the luster, but protect the gold leaf. 

The modern size materials are lots easier to use than the traditional processes.

Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Ricc Havens
Full Member
**
Offline


WR Rocks!

Posts: 50

Gender: male
Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #4 - May 25th, 2017 at 9:22am
 
Ken, thanks for the input.  It will not be the real stuff.  Just the stuff you can get at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

Thanks
Ricc
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Ralph Fahringer
WR Addict
*****
Offline


I'm the "Burly" Man!!

Posts: 1,629

Ellsworth, Maine, USA
Ellsworth
Maine
USA

Gender: male

PM3520b
Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #5 - May 25th, 2017 at 1:50pm
 
Ricc, that would be called metal leaf as there isn't any gold in it.

Trust me... you would KNOW if it was real gold when you paid for it!! Shocked

I still have some around from when I used to do a bit of gold leafing on frames. Waiting for the right bowl to use it on.

Also, depending on whether you want it shiny or satin is based on what is under it. The satin look uses a lacquer type size that when it gets tacky, you lay the leaf down and then use a cotton ball to rub it into place... sort of a swirly movement.

Water leafing uses different layers under the leaf, starting with a gesso base that fills in the grain of  the wood. 2 or three layers with sanding in between to get a nice smooth finish.

Then a layer of Bole, which is a colored layer that adds the overall tone to the gold... red, yellow, green. blue, black. Most times red.

This gets wetted with a water/ alcohol mix to activate the rabbitskin glue in it and then the gold leaf is laid down on  it. When it dries, you burnish it with an agate burnisher which gives it that shiny finish.

It actually is alot of fun when it comes out right.!!

Apparently too expensive for the people in my area. Roll Eyes



  Thinking here, you could still use a gesso on the wood to fill in the grain and then the lacquer  sizing if you wanted to not show grain.


Back to top
  

Originality is the art of concealing your source.
 
IP Logged
 
Ralph Fahringer
WR Addict
*****
Offline


I'm the "Burly" Man!!

Posts: 1,629

Ellsworth, Maine, USA
Ellsworth
Maine
USA

Gender: male

PM3520b
Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #6 - May 25th, 2017 at 1:53pm
 
Oh, and as you are going to use metal leaf, go ahead and put a finish over it. It won't matter.
Back to top
  

Originality is the art of concealing your source.
 
IP Logged
 
Ricc Havens
Full Member
**
Offline


WR Rocks!

Posts: 50

Gender: male
Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #7 - May 26th, 2017 at 9:41am
 
Thanks Ralph!
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Ed Weber
WR Administrator
WR Patron
*****
Offline



Posts: 8,937

Wilton, California, USA
Wilton
California
USA

Gender: male

JET 1642
Grizzly G0584
Re: Gold Leaf embellishment questions
Reply #8 - May 26th, 2017 at 9:47am
 
Ralph Fahringer wrote on May 25th, 2017 at 1:50pm:
Trust me... you would KNOW if it was real gold when you paid for it!! Shocked


When you go to pay for metal leaf, you smile.
When you go to pay for gold leaf, the cashier smiles.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print