posted
Hi guys & gals. Well, my first real gold leaf job is toast.
I used Lefranc slow size around 10:30 pm last nite, & today at 7 am it seemed to be ready.
First problem. The word I'm gilding is cursive, so when I really start fighting to get into the tight cracks & curves I realize that there's some puddles of size on the bottom edges of the letters smearing all over the areas that I would have considered acceptable.
Not only that, but other areas were already dry. I guess its obvious that the size wasn't applied evenly? Or is there another reason?
OK, so all of you seasoned gilders probably know what my job is looking like as of now... What should I do to solve it? Do I size again & re-gild?
Thanks in advance guys! Sheesh... The day started out bad...I don't wanna work today... Nice beach day too...
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist!
Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
Too wet and too dry, sounds like you first of all didn't prepare the surface properly. The letter area should be primed and finished with an enamel before sizing. I even use a wood filler before priming. The puddles are a disaster waiting to happen, after sizing you should go back over the entire copy to remove all puddles so as to have an even size all around. The only excuse I can imagine for the size being too dry is that it soaked into the background because it was not sealed properly. Take your time and do it over the right way and you will be happy with the outcome.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
Yes Bill, you're right. I didn't paint it before. I did however give it 3 hands of west systems, sanding between coats, then giving it a final sand with 220 grit paper.
When you mean redoing the whole thing, should I like, sand the gold leaf off?
Thanks for your response!
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist!
Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
Uh! Oh! You have to get rid of those gooey puddles....before going any further! Use a clean, lint free rag soaked with some thinner, and wipe them out of the letters. Also go over the areas where the gold did stick, just to be sure to remove the loose stuff!
After it is all really clean,and dry...resize with the slow size... use a tiny amount of Imitation Gold, or Lemon Yellow (so that you can see if you have missed any spots.) When sizing A THIN COAT is all you want on there...you don't need much! Make sure there are no puddles, clean them out with your brush!
Next day apply the gold...should work this time!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
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Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I repeat what Si says about a THIN COAT. You didn't mention what type of brush you used. It's usually recommended that you use a brown haired quill as that will give the thinnest coat.
My .02
-------------------- Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs N.Huntingdon,Pa
bcosharek@juno.com
Posts: 703 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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A tip I picked up recently was to apply some size to a tester piece at the same time you apply it to your sign. Before you gild your sign, test the tack on your tester piece first. You'll be aware of any problems before doing any damage to your sign.
Have fun!
-------------------- Terry Whynott Walkerton, Ontario
posted
Felix, I have been getting my best results by using the suppliers yellow primer applied smooth as possible......then sand 400, then 600, then use fine steel wool to polish the primer. Then I apply quick size (30 min) as thin and even as I can. If you apply thin you will have no puddles. Your goal is to get the gold as tight and flat to the prepared surface as you can, as it magnifies any underlying problems. Putting leaf on thick size is like wallpaping over a muddy road. It will be a mess every time you try to burnish it. I know slow size is supposed to be better, but I'm doing really nice work without the wait. Bronzeo
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
Another note, the epoxy itself can cause problems if it is not totally cured. Migration of the solvents will accelerate the dry time of the size in spots. You also don't want to rush it...slow size is typically better at 18 to 24 hours and I often wait a day or two or three.
-------------------- 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
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posted
Geez thanks a ton guys! I'll keep that in mind! Well, I had given up on the job after wasting about a hundred bucks in gold, but somehow my wife is making it look better. Prepping is definately the way to go. I know that now. I'll send some pics as soon as I can. Thanks again!
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
Hi and Low spots can happen when brushing. Do a little "backbrushing" every so-often to prevent the puddles or you can size through an Airbrush using a masking technique for a real even coat as well. Lay your leaf on right over mask and all, but remove mask as soon as possible (be sure to powder background first). Using denatured alcohol and a little muscle may remove some of your thick spots,...good luck!
-------------------- Rich Stebbing RichSigns Rohnert Park CA 707-795-5588 Posts: 755 | From: Rohnert Park, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Gilding over epoxy can leave you with all sorts of problems. Sometimes West System will cure leaving an oily residue, which interferes with the drying time of paint and size. Fortunately there's an easy cure - wash with warm soapy water, then lightly sand the epoxy. Also, as others have written, go back over your sizing and check for puddles, get an even thin coat. Lefranc is pretty forgiving as a size in that you get a long open time to work, but you have to clean up the puddles.
-------------------- "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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posted
Hey folks, server seemed to have been down a couple days. Well the sign is finished, I guess the gild is, well, acceptable. Cam let me tell ya, it sure is a lot easier to gild a Gemini than a homemade letter!
Thanks a million for all the responses!
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist!
Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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