Have you ordered the gilding size?Is it loose leaf or transfer leaf? there are, as far as i know, 2 types a 1 hour size and a twenty four hour size. The one hour size does what is says on the tin, apply the size in areas that you can comfortably apply the gold onto before the size goes too dry. It usually starts to go tacky enough after about 45 mins in normal workshop conditions , but you will have to experiment. You are supposed to use the hairs on the backs of your hand to judge whether the size is just the right tackiness to apply the gold.(most blacksmiths have no hairs due to hands getting close to the fires!!!!) Too wet and the size will break the gold leaf, The company i used sent me a leaflet on how to apply all types of gold leaf, give your supplier a buzz and see if they will send you one. By the way i am no expert on gilding, i have done a bit and it seems to have been successful (i just followed the instuctions from the leaflet)Hope this has been of some help post some pics of the finished piece.
Adrian
Ps if you paint the area you are gilding with a matt red paint before you apply the gold size it will make the gold alot richer.
Have you ordered the gilding
Have you ordered the gilding size?Is it loose leaf or transfer leaf? there are, as far as i know, 2 types a 1 hour size and a twenty four hour size. The one hour size does what is says on the tin, apply the size in areas that you can comfortably apply the gold onto before the size goes too dry. It usually starts to go tacky enough after about 45 mins in normal workshop conditions , but you will have to experiment. You are supposed to use the hairs on the backs of your hand to judge whether the size is just the right tackiness to apply the gold.(most blacksmiths have no hairs due to hands getting close to the fires!!!!) Too wet and the size will break the gold leaf, The company i used sent me a leaflet on how to apply all types of gold leaf, give your supplier a buzz and see if they will send you one. By the way i am no expert on gilding, i have done a bit and it seems to have been successful (i just followed the instuctions from the leaflet)Hope this has been of some help post some pics of the finished piece.
Adrian
Ps if you paint the area you are gilding with a matt red paint before you apply the gold size it will make the gold alot richer.