posted
I'm going to try my hand at gilding glass and need a formula for the size. I know that you disolve gelatin in distilled water, but what is the ratio? Also I have read that some people wait for the size to set up and others lay the gold on wet.
Oh, another question. I plan on using a paint mask for the lettering layout, will the size stick to the mask and become brittle and pull up some of the gold when I remove it?
Thanks much.
-------------------- David Otero Ace Signs 5445 Edith Blvd. NE - Unit B Albuquerque, NM Posts: 70 | From: Albuquerque, NM USA | Registered: Jul 2000
| IP: Logged |
The formula for water size is two 00 empty gelatin capsules disolved in a pint of water. A handier gelatin material is the sheet gelatin available from Esoteric Sign Supply. The sheets are divided into diamonds and four or five will make a pint of size.
Begin by soaking the gelatin in a small amount of water. It takes a while to disolve, so I usually start the gelatin soaking before I begin cleaning the window. The water is then heated to completely disssolve the gelatin. DONT BOIL IT! I use a litttle propane backpacking stove, but a can of Sterno will work just as well. When I'm working in the shop, I usually heat the water in the microwave. I then put the mixture in a larger cup or glass jar and add enough water to make the right ratio. The size does not need to be warm when it is applied.
Gelatin size will not keep. Discard what you don't use the day it was mixed.
The gold should be applied while the size is still flood wet. I don't know of any way you could use a paint mask, other than to use it for an outline and then gild the inside of the letters.
-------------------- Jerry Mathel Retired Grants Pass, Oregon signs@grantspass.com Posts: 916 | From: Grants Pass, OR USA | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Jerry, I have the article you did in SBI, (I guess it was early last year) in the truck. It's a good clear reference on something I want to learn to do. I wanted to carry it to Ponchataula tomorrow.
posted
the ratio i was beat to but about using stencils....it is a good way to doing a Boston guild (out line, guild in the center) using the stencil for the painting part.But the transfer paper will peal any gold you have layed down first. I would recomend "Gold Leaf Techniques" by Ramond LeBlanc...edited by Kent Smith. you can get it through sign craft. This book is an endles sorce. also has plenty on surface guilding
chris
chris
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
posted
Thanks for the plug. I have been using mask for outline or combination outline and shade with good success. Using Finegold backing black eliminates the need for detergent in the size. Be sure to re-clean the glass though with BonAmi after removing the mask before gilding as there is often some residue.
Since there is some confusion between surface and glass gilding in your post, I suggest that you get more information and instruction, then practice before starting on a job for a paying customer. Every student I have had who has tried out gilding on a job has had some measure of failure.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic