Whats a good process to get the best layed gold leaf on westerd cedar? Will be sandblasting a sign and would like to gold leaf the main text. Or is it better to duplicate the main text with HDU and guild that instead? Getting a smooth glass like finish before guilding is my objective, i find that brings a shinier gold effect. Thanks guys....you are the best...
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
I've found that sanding, priming and finish painting with One-Shot gives a smooth finish. The more coats, the smoother. Are you going to add dimension to the raised copy or leave it flat? I think the added dimension of V-carving the letters or rounding the edges really enhances the gold. The flat gilded letters look good when new but after a couple of years exposure they get really dull.
Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :
Matt, You want to get the area to be guilded as smooth as possible. Sand with a palm sander after blasting, then prime and sand lightly, lay down a couple of coats of oil.
When the oil is at full gloss and smooth, lay on the slow size and wait until it is almost dry 12-24 hours, then guild. I use a very soft fitch to burnish and a dedicated gold vacuum to salvage the excess gold.
