How to Create a Gold Leaf Frame For a MirrorPosted by Hutchinson Kloster on January 19th, 2021 A gold leaf frame fits right into a home decorated with traditional elegance and opulence. It is particularly well suited for a big mirror and is a stylish wall decoration in almost any room, from your foyer to the dining area towards the bedroom. Placed in an even more contemporary space, one framed in gold leaf adds an instant touch of glamour. Depending about the type of the frame, it might exude an old-fashioned, " old world " look or perhaps a chic metallic vibe. Creating a gold leaf frame for an image is a straightforward project that will need some patience and time. The process is called gold leafing or gilding, also it basically involves applying very thin and delicate sheets of real or imitation gold on top of the frame. The preparation focus on the frame is important since it ensures an even and clean surface to work with. If your frame has lots of detail in the woodwork, applying the leaf can be a bit trickier, but can create a beautiful golden piece. 1. Remove check or protect the glass. If possible, take away the mirror and backing through the frame so the frame is going to be easier to operate with. If the glass is not removed, use painter's tape along with a plastic sheet or newspaper to pay for over the entire surface of the glass so it won't get dirty. 2. Sand and seal the frame material. You can apply gilding to almost any material, including wood, glass, or plastic frames. If you are having a wood frame, sand the top smooth before cleaning and apply a coat of sealer like Gesso primer, that may prepare the wood to get the basecoat. 3. Apply acrylic bole like a basecoat. Red acrylic bole is often used as being a primer to create a hard, even surface that is certainly well suited for applying the gilding. It increases the gold frame a warm tinge if the gilding is complete. Apply two coats of bole, allowing the very first layer to dry before brushing on the second. 4. Apply size for adhesive. After the bole basecoat has dried, work with a brush to use a thin, even coat of gold size, which acts just as one adhesive to bond the gilding for the surface of the frame. gold gilders should go on white and turn clear in 5 to ten mins. This is the best time to use the gold leaf, when the top is tacky. 5. Apply the gold leaf. Carefully lay the gold leaf around the frame, utilizing a soft brush to smooth it in place. Apply consecutive pieces inside same way, slightly overlapping the prior piece. Trim away the having a brush. For the more detailed servings of the frame, tear or cut the gold leaf into smaller areas and apply. 6. Protect the frame with shellac. When the entire surface is coated in gold leaf and then any wrinkles flattened out, seal the frame which has a coat of shellac. It prevents the gold leaf from tarnishing and enhances its durability. Allow gold leaf gilding to dry and you will have a gold leaf frame which is ideal for your mirror.Like it? Share it! More by this author |