Water gilding for beginners

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Water gilding online course now available ruthtappin-gildingcourses.thinkific.com/

[@Puck248]

I remember that I learned to put the gold leaf, in the first year of the academy, in a restoration camp. It was winter, we were sitting in impossible positions on the scaffolding in the dome of the church, and that's how we had to gild the stucco. You are wonderful and your advices are very good even for connoisseurs. Thank you!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thank you 😊

[@michaelgilbert6635]

Nice demo Ruth. The alcohol in the water or, gilders liquor, is a wetting agent. It's purpose is to prevent air bubbles from being trapped under the leaf.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks 😊. That makes sense as it reduces the water tension.

[@englishrose4388]

This is the best video I've found on gilding. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your expertise. I'd love to see how to gild complicated shapes like antique Chippendale style drawer pulls.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

@@englishrose4388 thanks 😊 You would oil gild the drawer pulls. Like I did in the weathervane video or the gilded key video kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ-tqIh8rNuEipo

[@antonycroft7504]

Having just messed up my first gilding job, thank you!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

😬 hope the second goes better. 😁

[@redinabloogs8477]

Well done! Great job. The new gold matched nice with the old at the end there.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thank you 😊

[@paulbouchard9521]

I'm absolutely new to this and I love how you went through such a detailed explanation to explain the behaviour of the materials - one of the best instructionals I've seen on any technique. Thank you.

[@saladilloba]

Thank you, Ruth! You are an excellent educator. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Your welcome 😊

[@marissaaziz7509]

Just got into gilding....i guess I'm gonna be passable I got tutor like this. Thanks from Glasgow

[@TYoung023]

I’ll be wearing a mask when I try this! 🌬

[@bronoun8884]

No wonder I couldn’t get started. First time i saw guys gilding with leaf was outside on a busy road. I watched and thought yeah thats easy . Now 40 years later just got around to trying it myself. Im used to picking up skills easily: not this time. Good teacher btw . Feels like you’re talking to me not a room full of half listeners

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thank you. It's hard to control the leaf, but once you get that bit, gilding is nice. The oil gilding that you watched years ago is easier to do.

[@bronoun8884]

@@RuthTappinGilder right now if I could pull off a foot long pin stripe : id be over the moon. Im hoping A S Handover gold size 3 hours is correct. Coz dat wot eyes got . Fingers crossed

[@gildedlily5884]

Thank you for making such an informative video explaining the step by step process. I've done oil gilding and always wanted to try water gilding. You have helped and inspired tremendously. Please keep the videos coming....you are a wonderful teacher.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

😊 thank you. More videos in the pipe line. 😁

[@cbaron5335]

Just mesmerising and very easy to watch and listen to you. At the end, I’d love to see you burnishing close up.

[@mrobviuos74]

I recently watched how gold leaf is made in Japan. Very interesting process. This looks like something i would enjoy.

[@simonkramer1866]

Great video. I'm keen to see the burnishing process as well.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks. If you go to the water gilding play list, some of the other water gilding videos shows burnishing.

[@joet8526]

You are excellent technician Ruth, You're Videos get better everytime.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks Joe 😁

[@cubertmiso]

Hi Ruth, how the tech change when doing smaller contours in that frame? Do you just use smaller pieces or what? Also about the knife. Do you try to just clean your knife or sharpen it with that sanding paper?

[@kerrypitt9789]

Ruth I must admit to some hero worship here. I started watching Salvage Hunters when it first started. You folks were on BBC Canada for a few seasons and then I thought the show ended. I found out several years later that the show was no longer available to us. Now to watch it, is a technological adventure, so I miss some of them. The first time I ever saw you gild a mirror or maybe it was a different article, I'm getting old LOL. I wanted to learn more about it from you but, well now I can! All of you who work with Drew or Saxon or Tony, you are all just the best of the best and I have been around. My wife Judy just adored your work! That table you used a toothpick to clean!! 💯💯! The finished product, well Judy and I have watched it four times! Anyway I'm a Canadian so I talk too much! Thanks for this Ruth!!!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Keep an eye on my "The Restorers ' playlist. If I find a copy of the episode I'm on I'll put it on there. But the videos get taken down quickly because the person who has uploaded them is breaking copyright.

[@kerrypitt9789]

@@RuthTappinGilder I don't watch those as the copy is awful. There was one called Salvage Hunters I thought might be okay. I am often torn. If I could pay to get them I would, but to do it the right way is around $600/yr because I have to buy a subscription to another service that shows Quest. I have a friend in your neck of the woods who helps me out, but it is a bit of fiddling to watch what they record. I know Quest stuff gets posted but they are 7 to 9 minutes long, not satisfying. I wish Quest would play through one of three BBC channels I have access to on legitimate TV. One is BBC Canada, then BBC Documentary and then BBC Select. Out of curiosity do you watch Call the Midwife? One of the best shows in the world? Is it wrong to watch Downton Abbey just for the furniture? Anyway thank you again.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

@@kerrypitt9789 we are lucky here to get quest free. I also pay for discovery plus £40 a year. Discovery owns quest. That means I get to watch one week before it's on tv, so can decide if I'm telling anyone I'm on 😁

[@kerrypitt9789]

Ruth I did not know Discovery owns Quest! More letters to write! Thank you!

[@lindabooker3512]

I admire your patience.

[@jennydebney2215]

Thank you Ruth, that was very helpful. You do make it look so easy. 🙂

[@rossmcleod7983]

Ohh this was good. I just bought some gold leaf from the supermarket, it’s used for confectionary and so I had a stab at it. All the difficulties inherent in its nature revealed itself biggly. Cannot wait to tool up and go through your entire back catalogue Ruth, many thanks, really looking forward to meeting this demanding craft head on now.😊

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thank you 😊

[@GianTJ]

Fabulous video, Ruth. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

You're welcome 😊

[@kattytj1]

Thank you very much. You are very patient and professional when you're explaining. I enjoyed learning with you. Greetings from Morelia México

[@RuthTappinGilder]

😊👋

[@sueorchison]

Thank you so much for your video. I will be watching it again and again.

[@avestanstudio537]

Thank you Ruth Tapper! We currently use oil guilding over at the Architect of the Capital in Washington D.C. Water guilding seems as it would be more efficient. I find your handling of the leaf about as accomplished as is humanly possible. Much respect and genuine compliments to you. Perhaps with time and practice I may be able to improve our approach some. So far all we occasionally do is gold lettering placed into carved plaques and signs as part of the painting program. In the past I also occasionally repaired guided picture frames as part of the framing trade. Your handling is inspiring.

[@stephenholmes5362]

SO glad I found you! I've been wanting to gold leaf a few frames that were painted with radiator paint in the 40's. I have real gold leaf & fake gold leaf. My great uncle was a pro and I inherited all his supplies. Wish I had learned from him but I wasn't interested at the time, but I think if I watch & rewatch you I 'll be able to do this. Thank you.

[@AnnParker-r8c]

Great teaching video with all the tips & tricks, I enjoy crafting it’s not as skilled but I love watching people who are good at what they do also watch you on Drew Pritchard videos.

[@caburebonugli3141]

THANK YOU! My confidence in gilding seems much more tangible now. 🙌🙏

[@leighveronicabradley6894]

Fab. I've been oil gilding on stone and metal for years but recently taught myself to water gild so I could collaborate on an antique frame restoration (which i'm still in the process of completing). Your recent videos have popped up at almost exactly the same times that I've been applying the same processes (glue, gesso, bole, water gilding...) and have been really helpful and reassuring. It's been a steep and often frustrating learning curve but I'm am thoroughly enjoying it and the results make all the months of research and weeks of prep totally worthwhile. Thanks again Ruth :)

[@RuthTappinGilder]

😁 you're welcome Leigh, hope you're enjoying the processes. R

[@br.samuel4754]

Thank you Ruth for this super video. I am a person.....when I SEE this , and i practicize it 3 times , it is OK. I learn it myself, this most difficult way of guilding and it works!!!! It makes me verry happy. Thank you so much.

[@polyjackets8659]

Well done. Brilliant explanation and loads of patience.

[@moojse]

Thanks Ruth for guiding us through it is a great help for me

[@ragonebker3474]

Thank you for the great tutorial.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

You're welcome 😊

[@eds6569]

Video was very helpful for newbies such as myself, thank you for taking the time to show others your skill and techniques, I especially appreciated the parts where you demonstrate common problems and the solutions everyone will deal with at some point.

[@xander333333]

Thank you for this wonderful beginners guide.

[@brixtonbluebeat]

What an excellent tutorial. I'm doing a bit of crafting tomorrow so was looking for the basics but you have opened my eyes to the craftswomanship of guiding. Thank you.

[@christinecheseldine4618]

An absolutely fantastic video. Thank you so much for all the details. Hope to watch you in the future.

[@productsreview31]

Oh my! I didnt know it was this difficult..they show it so easy on videos..thank you for this video..

[@lolitabonita08]

thank you so much for sharing this long time hidden secret...it is a game changer for sure.

[@mauriceodonnell7671]

Brilliant video, wonderful teacher. Thanks Ruth.

[@LindaM.DicksonMay22]

*you want to run around the room, celebrating… but you won’t because the gold foils will fly EVERYWHERE! 😂😂💦 thanks so much for this awesome lesson. 💜

[@maryburke8004]

Thanks Ruth for your videos, they are so helpful! I've had several attempts at water gilding but never happy with the result. You've given me courage to keep at it!

[@jeffdente1419]

Very helpful, I would like to now the full prep work before you start gilding

[@VoiceZion]

Wow! Thank you Ruth! You're so awesome in your craft! I will surely apply this technique. Thank you.

[@shploingy6699]

Always love your segments on The Restorers, and I love your work. I wish we had more talented restorers like you in Canada. I have so much gilding work needed for various pieces.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thank you 😊 love doing the pieces for The Restorers. I'm starting to make the full teaching videos so we may be able to turn you into a good gilder! 😁

[@221b-Maker-Street]

Superb video - thanks so much, Ruth. it's lovely watching you work so expertly. 💛

[@spirosavras1595]

Congratulations,you are very good teacher. Thank you.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

@@spirosavras1595 thank you 😊

[@annechristineself6538]

What a superb video! Thank you so much! LOVE the fact you use IPA - it saves my vodka and is particularly appropriate because at the beginning of the pandemic I started making hand sanitiser for friends and relatives. Once a cheap commercial version was available I was left with 10 litres of the stuff...... I have sufficient to last me out.

[@kevingeaney7741]

Realy good, I'll try it. Thank you. I would like to see exactly what the burnishing is about?

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Sorry I was just concentrating on the gilding in this one. There are videos where I also do burnishing.

[@munnaza23]

Thanks a million for showing in depth tutorial. You made it look so easy. ❤

[@beautyschoolbooks]

I love your videos and gain moments of happiness from your lovely work. I am in my late seventies and have a question. Why someone as clever as you is using rabbit skin glue? Please enlighten me. My grandparents told me not to use it as it swells and causes cracking. I look forward to hearing what other glues you use for water gilding. My grandparents just used water. They were not trained gilders but it seemed to work.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

You need very little rabbit skin glue in the water, some gilders use gelatine but that is usually for glass gilding. The gilding water is activating all the rabbit skin glue in the bole thats what is holding the gold. The tiny bit of glue in the water helps with the lay lines where the second piece of gold overlaps the first.

[@thevet2009]

Thank you for your instruction…very useful as I try it with my next project.

[@sistersarann3819]

Cool texture. And we learned from all your efforts. Thank you :)

[@standoo7]

Thank you so much for showing this film. I am beginner and I want to know exactly the name of the tools that I have to buy. I mean to start with. Glue pencil etc. You explained it very well.🙏

[@bernadettemccarthy9631]

Great video- thank you for the detailed explanations!!

[@agomodern]

I saw you on The Restorers. Cool to see you have a YT channel.

[@Nelufar.h]

Burnishing Ruth your lovely video was very clear but what is burnishing for and can you do close up!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

It gives the gold a mirror finish. kzbin.infoxysA1DyixWQ?si=FEhznvNfL35pX3H7

[@paintstorm1]

How about a video on applying compo to the corners of frames. I'd like to add ornamentation to plain frames but don't know how.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

This compo video should help you with that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6vGc2OFnbGXors

[@marystuart7065]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, you are a wonderful teacher🙏🏻😊

[@themaggattack]

This was so helpful, thank you! ~Just a thought: Perhaps wear a mask so it won't blow away from breathing? (Of course you'll have to remove the mask to blow on the gold, but at least you'd be sure it would only be blown on purposefully.)

[@samamber9370]

That helps out significantly. Thank you very much.

[@valerieguzek9692]

Thank you so much for this excellent video! I'm new at water gilding and really look forward to "mastering" the art! Well, that's my aim. I've taken 2 courses so far. I've learned so much with your video today. I have not been taught how to apply the gold leaf with a brush, oils on the face etc. How to cut and burnish the leaf etc. I need to buy all your supplies that you were using! I could go on and on but I won't : ) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@evanescentwave181]

Please explain what constitutes a "little bit of rabbit skin glue' in the water gilding liquor? Many Thanks.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

For me it's a pinch of the rsg jelly about one cm square.

[@sarasayed12]

I loved how you explained everything slowly and just not showed the steps but the problems that might occurred. I always struggled about dealing with gold leaf and maybe I will give it another trial. My Question is I have ready gilding paste do I dissolve that in water or directly apply? because the instruction does not tell

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Usually gold coloured paints are ready to go. If it's wax based you can thin with white spirits.

[@GianTJ]

Do you have a video on preparing the water/iso/glue solution? I've seen some places you want to warm the solution before adding the glue.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Hi, yes, warm not hot will melt the glue. I'm currently filming a full start to finish water gilding courses. Which shows how to make everything in detail.

[@GianTJ]

Looking forward to it!

[@TF-oh8gi]

I am just starting one very ornate frame right now.Quite a project for the first time doing. Not sure if I will continue, but I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Easy to understand and great tips, thank you. Threasa, California.

[@anacorreia1783]

Can I use this same technique on plaster? Thank you for the video! It is a very interesting process!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

😁 Yes, I made a video about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqGqf4yZnJWIic0

[@alexkochetkov1506]

Hi. It’s very useful video. How to protect the gold surface for the future? Thanks Alex

[@RuthTappinGilder]

No need its gold it won't tarnish

[@hilarywhite2953]

do you think you could do a video on how to care for your gilding knife? I'm very careful with mine, never leaving it out of its case when I'm done, always keeping it clean, etc. But I'd like to know how to sharpen it when the time comes... Oh! never mind. As soon as I clicked play again, you started sharpening...

[@APZANATTA]

Primeira vez que vejo este tipo de douração achei interessante e muito bem explicado grato pela linda aula e grato por compartilhar abraços

[@readrepairs]

Thank you for making this video.

[@pinkystarlight838]

How did you match the rest of the frame after you finished gilding?

[@RuthTappinGilder]

I aged the new gold to match the old. Aging gold will be part of my teaching videos.

[@pinkystarlight838]

Fantastic! Looking forward to it.

[@noelbowerman1562]

I'd like to see close ups of the burnishing so we can see what you are doing.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Sorry, in this video I was just concentrating on just the gilding itself. There is burnishing is a lot of my other videos. Also I'm currently filming a online gilding courses which goes in depth with everything.

[@barbarathornton5920]

This video was fantastic! I create icons and use gold for the halos. I use red bole underneath but am very interested in doing the water gilding. What is the recipe for the lacquer? I love how the gold looks. Thank you.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks 😊 The recipe for the gilding water is in the description.

[@drew699]

Superb vid & great photography too. I used to love gilding many years ago. I’m interested to see how you would age the new gilt in this video to match the existing frame? You mentioned that the frame was ‘orange’ due to lacquer - I have a frame exactly like the one you have there. How do you colour match? Also I would be grateful if you could confirm the exact ingredients/proportions of the water/alcohol/RSG mix. Thanks v much & look forward to more videos.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Gliding water, 4 parts water, 1 part isopropanol alcohol, a pinch of RSG. I'm thinking of making some sort of online courses and toning the gold will probably be part of that. There is a little bit of aging gold in this Quest video kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4bGg6utrNV2adk

[@drew699]

@@RuthTappinGilderThanks so much Ruth. Beautiful mirror restoration! Your work looks so creative & therapeutic. Look forward to more content.

[@shivangi3g]

Thank u for sharing soo much in detail selflessly

[@BitcoinandGold]

What a lovely video. Thank you.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks 😊.

[@tiffanynewbold1156]

This might be weird, but could you use a snorkel to breathe if you're having troubles with your breath roughing up the gold?

[@RuthTappinGilder]

You need your breath to control the gold. Its only an issue when first learning and when talking to the camera 😁

[@andrewjack6323]

How about just a standard paper face mask?

[@how2scuba]

another scuba diver! Interesting intersection between hobbies. Me too.

[@ericswain4177]

Nice tutorial. Never done water gilding but have done a bit of conventional gilding using slow sizing as I was doing relatively large works such as freezes and large capitals. Patience and practice are key.

[@naomigreaves3227]

Hi Ruth, really useful and informative video. I wondered how you go out matching/blending the new gilding with the existing finish. Another question is Can you water gild on top of oil gilding? Thank you and I look forward to future videos!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks. Next Sunday's video is about moulding, but the one I'm making for the Sunday after will be explaining what you can and can't water gild and why. Answer is no, I hope the video will explain why.

[@colourbug]

hi! you mentioned a lacquer that turned the original gold a bit orangey. what exactly would you use to match the original? and what would you use in general for a new frame?

[@RuthTappinGilder]

You don't need to seal gold as it won't tarnish. They probably used a varnish that oxidised over time and turned yellow.

[@roe4353]

What a fantastic video - thank you so much!

[@DuendeLounge]

Love your videos! I'm still confused on when you should use water gilding verses oil gilding? When is one better than the other for frames? Also, a lot of old gilding would have a red color under the gold leaf and I've noticed you never use red. Why is that, and what other colors do you use under your gold leaf and why? Thank you! You really have inspired me to take a chance and start repairing and re-gilding my old frames.

[@RuthTappinGilder]

This frame is English so I'm using English Victorian bole colours. The French and American frames use red bole. The high parts of a frame are usually water gilded and burnished the rest is oil gilded. Have a look at the how to make bole video and some of the start to finish restoration videos to give you a better idea.

[@monicavanzant1974]

How wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. I want to start a new project and I bought the gold leaf and I wasn't quite sure how I wanted to start it and I'm definitely going to do this.

[@anaburke5980]

Thank you for great videos. you are definitely expert. would you please share the recipe for robit skin water you use

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks 😊 the gilding water recipe is in the discription or if you mean rabbit skin glue there is a video on just making that.

[@raquelbistuer]

Hi Ruth! Thank you for this magnifical video. I love all your videos. Really helps … It is possible to put the bowl on the table and a few days later, like three, put the silver leaf. Or is it better to work in the same period? It is really impossible to be able to work all the processes followed. Anothwr question is about the silver leaf. It is not advisable to leave the blades unpolished for several days, right? Because I did it and I have to remove… Thank you so much again for your knowledge!! Raquel

[@RuthTappinGilder]

I gild the next day after boling, but if thats not an optionits not the end of the world. You do get a much better burnish if you burnish with in 24h depending on how warm the room is you can burnish after a couple of hours.

[@raquelbistuer]

Thank you Ruth! … Yes, the room is very warm.. I am from Barcelona, ​​Spain and there is a heat wave, in August it is terrible to work in the workshop. I believe that these hotter days have a very negative influence on the gilding.. I prefer to wait three days (with the bole on) and then i will put the silver leaf, because of the heat… Thank you again Ruth :)

[@freddyfelipe5047]

Gracias! So kind and professional!

[@AndreasAndersson-ve4jx]

If you buy art from the 1800:s & it has a water guilded frame, it is always good art & expensive. (Sweden.) You can start by looking at the frame, then by all means, also check out the painting.... That kind of art has always been over my budget, but i did come across one such painting, in the Antique shop down at the corner where i lived, which i purchased... It was a small sturm & drang landscape, in the classic 7-layer technique, i.e. thin layers and that glorious sky rendering... probably older than 1850... A typical water-guilded-frame painting... Not that water guilding was especially expensive, but the people moving in from the countryside, they were perfectly happy with the classical, cottage/road/forest (optional lake & moose), in a gold painted frame.

[@belmckee590]

Thank you for the glue recipe, does it have to be that particular glue? I really enjoyed your video. I'm new to gilding xx

[@RuthTappinGilder]

@@belmckee590 yes it needs to be rabbit skin glue. I've just lurched my online water gilding course if your interested link is ruthtappin-gildingcourses.thinkific.com/

[@steelstanding8005]

Don't be funny I'm guilding. Saw those leafs fly like in an Autumn storm. Youtubing and guilding seems like a tough combo even for one so experienced as you.

[@paulmaryon9088]

Wow what a great vid, thank you, don't know where this came from but I really enjoyed it, have subscribed.

[@TheFrenchClooney]

C'est magnificent! Gracias love!

[@johnbarnette3916]

ever thought about getting a 3-d printer for mold making?

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Yes, when I have an opposite scroll missing, It can only be sculpted. It would be great to scan the remaining scroll then flip the image then print it. I keep thinking about it but not spent the money yet.

[@sandricabello2608]

thank you for all your tips...Cheers

[@nickwright5531]

A superb video. Thank you.

[@michaelflint4159]

Thank you for an excellent film Ruth. I was water gilding this morning, went exactly like yours. Yeah right!!! Picked up some very important points from the video and it will be my lunch break required viewing for the week. How long is the gilding water viable for? 🤔 All the best Mike 👽

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Thanks, bet your gilding was a close 2nd 😁 I make a little jam jar full which can last week's if sealed. I pour a bit in my glass pot and only use that for one day as the alcohol will evaporate. R

[@michaelflint4159]

No. Not even a close thirty second, yet. Film solved a lot of issues, tearing, not wetting in enough and picking the leaf up with the tip correctly. It's just plugging away, learning from mistakes time. If you don't do this again and again you loose the neuromuscular pathways. Thanks again. When I have a worthy piece I'll send you a picture for your critique Regards Mike 👽

[@RuthTappinGilder]

@@michaelflint4159 I was actually struggling to replicate what it was like in the beginning. I'm thinking of getting a willing ginipig who has not gilded before to have a go on camera to help me remember. Would love to see what you're working on. R

[@SarahHope883]

Thanks for the tutorial, you mentioned that the gilder's water is really activating the glue in the bole? Which bole do you use?

[@RuthTappinGilder]

As I need lots of colours I use most of the makes of bole. They are all interminable.

[@jimlinehan9315]

Hi Ruth, Great Videos! You mentioned gesso and bole. When is sizing and whiting used? Thank you ,Cheers Jim

[@RuthTappinGilder]

Whiting is in the gesso. That goes on first, then the bole. Then you can water gilding.. Oil size is used in oil gilding.

[@jimlinehan9315]

Thanks Ruth!

[@ceallaighpender]

i’m trying to find a way to add gold to the rim of my drinking glasses. Do you have a video on that?

[@RuthTappinGilder]

I haven't done that. Gilding onto glass is called Verre églomisé. Not sure it would stay on if you plan to use the glass. There is a video on glass gilding in the advent videos day 3. Or you could try one of the kolner sizes ceramic size gell or kolner miniatum. Both have videos in my advent videos.

[@nathanclark1821]

I just tried the Kölner KGGG System, with excellent results, and I lot easier especially for restoration work, its amazing how the 'bole' gets a brilliant shine.

[@Rk14-ly2hq]

Hi Ruth, thank you for suggesting I use shellac instead of a lacquer, I didn't even think they still produced shellac and found out they make a clear and another wood tone. On this frame you mentioned you will match the new bright 23.75 ct. gold to the old on the frame. How do you make it match? Also....I'm gold gilding metal picture/mirror frames starting with shellac and was wondering if I can use different colors next like the bole on wood and will it change the tone drastically, I'm thinking sanding may be a issue? I absolutely love the pineapple you gilded and want to replicate one day!

[@RuthTappinGilder]

You don't need to seal metal as it's non-porous. You can paint the metal with metal paint. Yellow or red are good colours under gold. But test the paint with the oil size, as some don't react well.

[@Rk14-ly2hq]

I put shellac on some smaller metal frames for a smooth surface on larger areas but not the smaller more detailed areas. I decided to try it to avoid a lot of sanding and so far the end result is much better than no shellac. I'm testing using shellac.