gold leafing

[Cadillac Daddy-o]

not sure if this is were this goes but i was wondering about goldleafing not so much reverse guilding but doing gold work on sign blanks and what not to teach my self how to do it any tips, i need to know how to do effects like burnishing , also i plan on useing 1-shot quick because of the ease to get over on this side of the pond but whats is a good leave to start with preferably real i have heard a few prob come from tryin to use the cheap stuff any help would be great thanks.

[Wayne]

I hate oneshot quick size-It always gives me a horrible, horrible gild.
I use the Lefranc 3 and 12 hour size.

Try and get hold of Kent Smith's Gold leaf techniches book

[campainter]

For the most part I don't use quick size straight; I always add a bit of slow size to extend the open time. Awhile back a local sign gal (who doesn't paint anymore) gave me an unopened pint can of Hastings Yellow Oil Gold Size - last made in the late 70s, or so I'm told. Takes at least 36 to 48 hours to come to gilding tack, stays open for two weeks, and gives a gild like you wouldn't believe.

LeFranc changed their formula recently, removing the lead compounds to meet US enviro requirements. I don't know if they still make the "real" size for use in Europe, does anyone know? I might have to become an international smuggler.... If I'm careful that pint of Hastings will last a few years, 'cause I only use it for special jobs.

[Wayne]

Hastings sounds nice!-.. But with such a huge open time-bet you gotta keep the dust and bugs out of it thou