Gold leaf consists of gold alloys that have been beaten, hammered, and subjected to immense pressure until they are transformed into extremely thin sheets. These sheets are available in various weights and colors, with 22-karat gold being the most common and widely used.
Gold leaf falls under the broader category of "metal leaf"—a term for various metals processed in the same way to create thin, delicate sheets; silver leaf, for instance, is the second most prevalent type. Metal leaves—and gold leaf in particular—are used in a process known as "gilding," where items such as furniture, picture frames, or artifacts are coated with gold leaf for decorative purposes. It is worth noting that this process is performed entirely by hand, without the use of machinery. In this article, we will explain the method for applying gold leaf, or the gilding process.
To apply gold leaf, you will need specific manual tools and must follow a series of steps. The necessary tools include: a booklet of thin gold leaf sheets, which can be purchased at stores specializing in decorative supplies or paint shops; a knife for cutting the gold leaf, along with a dedicated cutting pad; specialized gold-leaf adhesive (standard glue cannot be used, as gold-leaf adhesive is transparent); several brushes for spreading the adhesive or applying the leaf; and a set of gilding tools (styluses).
A specialized comb-like tool is used to handle delicate gold leaf sheets during the application process. Sandpaper is employed for abrasion and smoothing. A burnishing tool is used to press the gold leaf, transforming its surface into a brilliant, lustrous finish. Other materials include an acrylic adhesive, a base substance—such as red clay (bole), red oxide, or a colored pigment—and a varnish to protect the gold. Regarding the application process:
the adhesive used is known as "size" (*mision*). It can be purchased ready-made, but if unavailable, it can be prepared by dissolving solid glue pieces in boiling water (at a ratio of 100g of glue to 1 liter of water) and heating until it becomes a liquid. If red clay is used, it must be ground and mixed into the glue until it dissolves into a paint-like consistency; although the clay itself is not inherently adhesive, it becomes part of the mixture. It is essential to strain the glue mixture through a piece of cloth to ensure it is free of any impurities or debris from the clay.
The object to be gilded must be thoroughly cleaned and sanded until its surface is perfectly smooth, then wiped with a cloth to remove any dust. The object is then coated with the prepared glue mixture. Gold leaf sheets are cut to the desired size on a specialized pad using a knife; care must be taken to cut in a single direction and with great deliberation to prevent the delicate sheets from tearing. Using tweezers, lift the gold leaf and gently apply it to the piece of furniture.
The adhesive requires approximately 3 hours to dry completely; afterward, use a very soft brush to remove any excess gold leaf from the edges. Finally, use a burnisher to smooth and press the gold leaf into place.
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