There are two main gold leaf gilding techniques; fixing the gold leaf with a water or oil-based adhesive size, or water-gilding, which involves creating your own adhesive surface with Gilder’s Clay or Bole. Each technique is suitable for different types of supports and settings, and delivers different results.

The simplest method is to apply the leaf directly to your prepared surface with a fluid oil or water-based adhesive size.

The more intricate method, known as water-gilding or ‘gilding on bole’, involves applying the gold leaf over a layer of Gilder’s Clay, called bole. This technique has been used throughout history for icons, frames and wood. The colour of the clay subtly shows through the gold, giving your finished surface rich depth and facets. Water gilding allows the gilder to burnish the surface, for a richer shine. This cannot be done with the size-only method.

You should choose your technique based on your setting and the surface you’re using. All exterior projects, interior stone and metal will require an oil-based size. You can only use the water gilding technique or a water-based size for interior gilding on plaster and wood.

A simpler process to traditional water gilding is size-only gilding.

Typically, this technique produces less lustrous effects as the leaf cannot be burnished. This is because the leaf film remains supple even when dry. You should consider your project’s surface and location when deciding whether to use an oil or a water-based size.

Oil-based sizes are perfect for stone, metal, exterior plaster and wood. This includes gates, railings, monuments, statues, cupolas, walls, roof timbers and lead figures.

Water-based sizes are more suitable for interior projects, with wood and plaster bases.

Oil gilded surfaces are more water-resistant and durable than water-gilded surfaces, allowing them to withstand weather extremes. If using a less expensive base metal leaf, like Dutch metal or aluminium leaf, choose the oil method.

We offer two types of lead-free, oil gilding mixtures to choose from; Gold Size 12 Hours and Gold Size 3 Hours. Each mixture is designed for different locations and size applications.

Gold Size 12 Hours is best suited for large surfaces, exterior work, in dry and dust-free climates. This mixture gives a more brilliant, rich and resilient finish than our Gold Size 3 Hours.

Gold Size 3 Hours is designed for smaller surfaces, interior work and humid and dusty climates. It should also be used when your conditions are not suitable for Gold Size 12 Hours.

For both sizes, setting time is dependent on environmental conditions. In dry weather you can typically transfer gold leaf 1-2 hours earlier than the time indicated by the mixture. Both mixtures can cope with temperatures as low as -5 °C.

Our water-based size is ideal for interior wood and plaster. Made from an acrylic resin-based formula, it is water-soluble and designed to be applied in thin layers.

For maximum absorbency, thin the first layer with 20% water. Following this, apply a second, undiluted coat. Leave it to go tacky for at least 20 minutes before you apply the leaf. After application, this mixture should be slightly sticky. It will be ready to receive leaf for up to 24 hours.

Once the size has dried to a tack level similar to sticky tape, it is ready to receive the leaf. Never lay the leaf while the size is still wet.

Gently lift the loose leaf from the booklet using a gilder's tip and apply to the size-covered surface. If the leaf needs cutting before application, transfer it to a cushion and make cuts as required. With a light hand, gently smooth the leaf with a soft gilder's brush and tamp the leaf into any intricate areas of the moulding.

After all the leaf is laid, leave it for a few hours to allow the size to dry out beneath the leaf.

Once dry, gently brush away all the loose skewings (odd bits of leaf that are attached on the overlaps). Next, brush over the whole surface lightly to create a soft burnish on the leaf. If there are any gaps in the leaf, touch these up with your skewings.