I have a question on using surface leaf on an outside project. I would like to gold leaf a decorative design on the front of a Thai restaurant. The surface is smooth and painted gold right now.
Would the same procedure be used as when gold leafing a vehicle door? Except using slow size because of the area to cover? Since it is outside, would patten leaf be used?
I have seen bigger sheets of gold used on picture frames, but thought this must be some type of composite gold, maybe?
I know the dome at Norte Dame is gold, but have never heard the procedure used to do this type of work outside.
Has anyone worked with gold outside, and if so, what type of gold is used?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Pam Pam's Signs
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
If you've not gilded before, you are picking quite a job to start with. Yes you would use slow size on that job, but only because it doesn't get a clear coating. That is if it's up high enough so that vandals can't touch it with their hands. The way to do the job without making yourself insane, is to remove the letters, gild them, then reinstall. I'm in Michigan also and the wind(especially where you and I live) doesn't often lay down enough to gild outside. Surface gold definatley won't get the job done. Patent would be the choice. Depending on the size of the letters and the job maybe even rolled gold. Bottom line, if you can't take the letters down, don't do the job, you can't win this one. Mike
posted
If your talking about surface gilding a flat area outside & you want to use real gold I would always use transfer leaf (I find loose leaf is hard enough to keep under control indoors)I've done a few shop fascias like this (and its never a windy day until you get up there and its not gonna rain until the moment your size is just about ready)) To combat this I made a small cardboard box (a little larger than the book of leaf itself with a lid . The bottom part of the box has only 3 sides so when you go to gild your design you can put the box in an apron pocket,(open side toward you) and draw the leaves out one at a time ,and put the spent tissue paper in your other pocket. This should save you chasing all your gold down the street in a hail storm .
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It's amazing how quickly you can blow $80 worth of gold...literally. Been there, done that. Love...Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Thanks for the replies and emails on this subject.
The restaurant has a Thai design along the roof edge. That is what will be getting the gold leaf. If I knew how to post a picture, I could show you the area to be gold leafed.
I will look at this trim on the building a little closer to see if it can be removed and then replaced after gilding in the shop. I have done several vehicles over the last twenty years, but never anything outside in the weather, nor this big.
The restaurant is in Chesterton, Ind. which is close enough to the lake (Michigan) that it is probably always windy. Maybe taking it down is the only way.
Thanks for your input everybody.
And yes Jill, know what ya mean about blowing $80 worth of gold. One of those expensive lessons in the trade.
Pam
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
...Well, surface gold IS patent, which is (slightly) attached to its backing paper (for "gilding in the wind"). You CAN use (loose) glass gold for surface work, but usually only indoors.
...Slow size takes 24 hours (or so) to set up. You can speed it up by adding fast size to it. Chromatic makes a (new) gold size that is workable after an hour, and stays "open" fo a long time.
Gold is always (appx.) 3" x 3". The bigger sheets (5" x 5") are NOT gold leaf, and are for interior work ONLY.
...Oh, and try not to ever clear golf leaf with anything. Except when it will never be exposed to sunlight.
posted
...Well, surface gold IS patent, which is (slightly) attached to its backing paper (for "gilding in the wind"). You CAN use (loose) glass gold for surface work, but usually only indoors.
...Slow size takes 24 hours (or so) to set up. You can speed it up by adding fast size to it. Chromatic makes a (new) gold size that is workable after an hour, and stays "open" fo a long time.
Gold is always (appx.) 3" x 3". The bigger sheets (5" x 5") are NOT gold leaf, and are for interior work ONLY.
...Oh, and try not to ever clear golf leaf with anything. Except when it will never be exposed to sunlight.
posted
I'm usually a big slow-size fan, but on something like this it will drive you crazy. Use one-shot fast size, and size and gild a few feet at a time. Unless you are very experienced at gilding (in which case you wouldn't be asking) you don't want to size all at once and have to gild it all at once - that's asking for trouble.
The other thing to remember is that big outdoor gold jobs are not pristine, museum-quality gilding. You don't see the Notre Dame dome close up, at even a relatively short distance, the shine from gold hides a LOT of imperfections. Take your time and don't try to be too picky - even less than perfect gilding looks good from down on the street.
Oh, and use patent leaf, and pick your day. Little or no wind. And don't let them rush you, do it on your own schedule.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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