gilding problems

[Linda]

Help! I've had a go at gilding but am having trouble with the actual gild 'sticking' to the bole. I'm presently using imitation gold. I am able to place the imitation gold on the bole using water and a bit of rabbit skin glue (which has been prepared with 10:1 water/glue). I do notice that the gold creases a bit when it is applied to the frame. When I have a go at burnishing (24 hours later), this is when things go horribly wrong! The gold comes off . Can imitation gold be burnished?? and if it can be burnished, what mixture would you recommend for the 'glue'?

[prospero]

Aren't you supposed to use a water/alcohol mix for sticking the leaf?

I've only ever used ready-prepared size with imitation leaf and that very infrequently.

[Linda]

thanks for your help. I'll have a go with alcohol but I wonder what the mixture is? Do you know if you can burnish imitation gold as when I try to get the creases out, it breaks up.

[vintage frames]

Imitation gold, or aliminium metal leaf can be water leafed, but will not burnish. I'm afraid you will have to use real gold if you want a burnished effect. When gilding is burnished, it's really the bole underneath the gold that polishes, so when you try to burnish the metal leaf, it is so thick as to tear off the bole. There are some modern equivalents to burnished gilding but the traditional way is best.
Do persevere and buy your gold for the best price at say, Habberley Meadows.

[Linda]

Thanks for letting me know - I can stop 'tearing my hair out now' with frustration!!! . I'll save up and get some real gold and lock the kids out the house whilst I hold my breath and gild. The next problem is the finishing effect of paint (but one stage at a time). I will take a photo of the finished frame in a few weeks time (after I get the gold).