How to Use Silver Leaf like a Pro

[@bettinahooper5344]

Oh my Goodness! This video may be 8 years old, but you are a hero for doing this! Thanks for the work.

[@DecoratingMagic]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@dailypainter5465]

Great video! Love the end result. Easier way to apply the leaf is to just turn it over with the paper facing up and leave the paper on the leaf as you smooth it out, then simply lift the paper off.

[@Kman.]

The top side won't adhere. This is just like a decal you apply, as only one side is applicable.

[@lottatroublemaker6130]

Or take it completely off the paper before applying it, carefully lifting it onto the furniture/thing. That is how I have seen professionals do it. Some wear cotton gloves while doing it. No doubt a lot easier to do on flat surfaces, a lamp like this probably isn't wise to use as a first project, LOL... ☺️

[@bernadettegalasso4232]

This woman has the nicest speaking voice and seems to be so pleasant I would love to take a class and her be my teacher

[@DecoratingMagic]

Thank you so much! I wish you lived close by. I love teaching people how to do things

[@Chancerayburn]

You have the patience of a saint!! Lol. I used gold leaf on top of a stencil on a chalk paint project and I thought I was gonna scream. Note to self, never have a fan blowing or garage door open when trying to apply gold or silver leaf. 🤣😃😁😀

[@sunnydeborahsebastian1361]

That was beautiful. I’ve kept several lamps because I like the snakes but have gone from dark furniture to whites and whitewashed. I just found some dark silverish coffee table and end tables. So bow I know what to do with my lamps!!!!! I liked the square lampshade

[@rosaandrade2205]

thanks for all the tips never done leafing but will try it on a small project. love your results thanks

[@DecoratingMagic]

post pics here!

[@susangoodman2611]

it is such a delicate item...and I sighed.... and silver everywhere!

[@tanyas.3812]

The professional guilders use a dry artisan's brush with a little static electricity to lift the silver leaf off from the waxed paper backing.......the static electricity holds it to the brush while it is moved over to the surface area that's been glued. You can apply larger areas like this as it moves a whole leaf at a time.........

[@DecoratingMagic]

It is unbelievably hard to get an entire piece off the waxed paper without it tearing.

[@tanyas.3812]

The lamp looks great!

[@rosebroadway2093]

You make it all sound so easy, can I come to your house and have you help me? LOL...You've made a beautiful video! Thanks for this, I have to try it!

[@DecoratingMagic]

Rose Broadway , Thank you Rose! It actually is pretty easy; it’s just sort of tedious. I would love for you to come to my house! Book the trip.

[@rosebroadway2093]

Ha! Sure wish I could!@@DecoratingMagic

[@DecoratingMagic]

Rose Broadway where do you live

[@Kman.]

An immediate thought while you were doing this to maybe add some dimension. Keep in mind, I've not see the full video yet, but a/ways...Spray paint the lamp in a FLAT BLACK (or semi gloss?), and with the small areas where your silver leaf doesn't cover will add an aged look to it right off the bat! ;)

[@DecoratingMagic]

good idea!

[@wandakowalski7063]

Actually, you are using transfer leaf. Not sure what the directions say, but you just lay the sheet, silver leaf side down and then rub on the wax paper side and it will transfer to the surface in larger pieces. Of course, over a flat surface, it will come off in one piece, with little "holidays" that can be filled in with little leaf pieces.

[@vahidbayat4186]

thank you for the video. I have a question: when you are going to apply the first protective poly urethan layer, does't it wash and mess the patina you already have applied? (since both are being applied by brush and the second may wash and mess the first)

[@debbiemankelow6996]

I love the finish it looks great. Would this work for table mats?

[@DecoratingMagic]

Probably. But you would have to put many coats of sealer on it so that Any moisture wouldn’t ruin the finish. Merry Christmas

[@genericjesus8803]

you mentioned WAXed paper...I find that parchment paper is incredible. Nothing, yes NOTHING, sticks to it AND it doesn't leave any kind of residue like WAX (paper). Wax residue can be a nightmare sometimes!! BUT thanks for your video I'm a newbie :-). In my TOOLbox I have parchment paper, super glue (CA adhesive), baking soda (speeds up the bonding of CA adhesives) and duck/duck tape

[@stephaniequintini49]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. I wonder if the silver leaf is the same on both sides of the sheet. If it is, it may be easier to just lay the sheet (with the paper still attached) on the glue and then pull the paper off.

[@DecoratingMagic]

+Stephanie Quintini Good idea; but it is not...would make it a lot easier though!

[@evzg290]

I read something where they sealed the silver leaf first then put the glaze on the polyurethane. Does that make sense? Have you tried that? If so, why do you like glazing first? I’m just not sure which way is best for my project.

[@WigVitalitythewighero]

Was that a make-up brush you was using to dust of the extra Flakes?

[@lilyashagirl]

Hi Im So Glad I watched your Video. I have a Question... Ive bought an Old Wood Dresser that I Plan to Mirror. The Top, Both Sides and 3 Drawers but of Course you have the Edges & Legs to Cover. Most people & Videod Suggest & Use Spray Paint with a High Shine Silver But Im Thinking about Silver Leafing those Areas. A. Would you Suggest Doing it & B. Do you Think it would be Too Much/Too Shiny with the Mirror. Thanks

[@lottatroublemaker6130]

AFAIK Polyurethane IS water based. You can't buy solvent based polyurethane, then it is another type of varnish, e.g a shellac...

[@ArduinoTronic]

Hey! - I loved watching that vid. But youtube for me here on my tablet buffers frequently - its my ISP not this site but its annoying at times! I think we have the same sort of interests and I like this style you have. When you can spare the time please view the applicable videos on my channel (see playlists) and tell me your opinion of them. Any ideas gratefully recieved! Good luck with your channel!!

[@vahidbayat4186]

and what is the "glazing medium"|? can I make it myself?

[@DecoratingMagic]

Liquitex Professional Fluid Medium, 32-oz, Glazing. Glazing medium is basically an in tinted paint. You add it to paint to make a glaze. Glaze does not change the color of the paint you add, it changes the transparency. I don’t think you could make it yourself

[@SummeRain783]

Hi! Can you silver leaf over laminate furniture?

[@DecoratingMagic]

Ami Khan i'm not sure. But you could try on the small piece and see if it would work

[@eedyhsamson5667]

Yes amy khan you gold or silver leaf laminated furniture

[@eedyhsamson5667]

Yes you can

[@NaturalMarieMoon777]

Beautiful! can't wait to do my chest!

[@DecoratingMagic]

NaturalMarieMoon777 Thanks! Please feel free to pot pics or ask questions on my DecoratingMagic FB page. Susan

[@Ragingmarmot]

That would look weird and probably uncomfortable.

[@tovah2276]

Sneaky and MUCH CHEAPER.... I ordered ALUMINUM LEAF on eBay from China. I got about 1000 (yes, a THOUSAND sheets) for under $20 and it looks exactly the same as silver. Works the same as silver or gold. Used spray tack for the dressers (see why I went cheap) and it looks distressed but STUNNING, and I used black “diamond” looking hardware after using an antique glaze to seal. Held up thus far, 6 years. Everyone thinks I paid a fortune for it! Nope! Now, BE PATIENT when ordering from China. Took 4 months for it to get here but soooooo worth the chance of losing $20 but PayPal protects my money!! Plan far ahead and pay less! I even have tons left but I can only foil so many things in the house before I look like a sad Disney movie LOL! Good luck but cheap and patient wins every time♥️

[@andrewbaxter5315]

Why are you touching it, use a soft brush, the oil in your fingers will tarnish the silver leaf 👍

[@ghanshyamvaghela5812]

Which material you are applying before Place of Leaf

[@DecoratingMagic]

The glue that came with the silverleaf

[@DecoratingMagic]

For Mother's Day, my son edited and uploaded a new video for my DecoratingMagic KZbin channel. Thanks, Thomas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_FZpmCg894pqs

[@worshipthecreatornotthecre760]

I am a silver leaf manufacturer in Ahmedabad

[@genericjesus8803]

I'll play the devils advocate...why not just paint the fixture with a 'silver' spray paint? Technological advances in spray paint (metallic paints) have been mind boggling. Then if want to antique it apply the silver leaf?!?!??

[@susangoodman2611]

I have used several silver paints and they just dont do it...if I want that silver leaf finish...silver paint fails...

[@DecoratingMagic]

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