Gold leaf adds a sophisticated appeal to a room.
The art of gold leaf gilding dates back to approximately 2500 B.C. and has been used over the centuries to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to objects ranging from ceramics to woodwork. Gold leaf also provides a cheaper alternative to enjoy the precious metal, as it's pounded down to less than 4 millionths of an inch. Applying gold leaf to your crown molding may take a bit of practice, so do a few test runs on a scrap piece of wood to get the feel.
Instructions
1. Prepare the room where the crown molding is found for the application of the gold leaf. Turn off all fans and aim heating vents away from the crown molding to prevent the ultra-thin leaf from blowing away.
2. Clean the crown molding and remove any dust. Sand away any blemishes that are in the area where you'll apply the gold leaf.
3. Sketch out the design or pattern where you want the to go, leaving an outline in light-colored pencil.
4. Apply a special adhesive called gold size, using your pencil outlines as a guide. Use quick-drying gold size for a faster application. Allow adequate drying time, which is generally between one and three hours.
5. Press your knuckle lightly against the surface of the gold size to test for gold leaf application readiness. Wait until you feel a small tug from the material before applying the metal.
6. Use a special gilding brush to lift a sheet of gold leaf up to the . Brush away any excess from the areas that are adhesive-free. Continue the process until the entire area of the pattern contains the gold leaf.
7. Wait at least one day after the application and burnish the gold. Wipe the surface area with a piece of soft velvet or a cotton ball to rid it of any flakes left behind.
8. Apply a protective topcoat of acrylic water-based sealer for metal to protect the surface after application. While this is not an essential step, it increases the gold leaf's durability.
Tags: gold leaf, crown molding, gold size, after application