Nothing Compares To Precise Metallic Leaf

Final week, I additionally ordered some precise gold leaf (effectively, the imitation stuff) to make use of on the insides of the pendant lights that go over the countertop on the mural wall. I didn’t get these fully completed, however right here’s a sneak peek of how these are wanting with the gold leaf. I additionally added a band of gold across the backside outdoors edge, and it seems improbable!!

There are such a lot of paints and pens that attempt to mimic the look of gold leaf, however in actuality, nothing comes shut. In order for you the look of actual gold leaf, it’s a must to use actual gold leaf. Take a look at the one gold leafed door in comparison with the door and drawer fronts with marker accent. The distinction is fairly wonderful!

The marker, whereas it does have a metallic shine to it, seems general darker than the actual steel leaf.

And the primary factor that bought me was that the actual gold leaf (once more, I don’t imply to insinuate that it’s actual gold, however solely that it’s actual steel leaf in a gold colour) is seen from wherever within the room, whereas the gold metallic marker accent disappears the additional away you get from the cupboards.

Since these painted cupboard doorways haven’t been completed very lengthy, I used painters tape for delicate surfaces. I wished the gold leaf accent to cowl the outer fringe of the trim, and about 1/4 inch of the highest of the trim. So I began by taping all the way in which across the trim that I added to my IKEA Veddinge doorways.

Subsequent, I used some 1/4-inch painters tape to tape off the outer 1/4-inch of the trim. This tape was simply getting used as a spacer, and can be eliminated earlier than I added the gold leaf.

After which simply contained in the 1/4-inch tape spacer, I added extra of the painters tape for delicate surfaces.

To scrub up these inside corners, I used my utility knife and really fastidiously reduce at a diagonal, ensuring I didn’t reduce deep sufficient to attain the painted end.

After which I eliminated the additional items that I had reduce off, and was left with mitered painters tape corners.

I put a scrap piece of painters tape over the nook to carry it collectively. Since this tape is for delicate surfaces, it’s not as sticky as common painters tape, so corners like which have extra of a bent to maneuver or come up in the event that they’re not secured.

After that, I used to be in a position to take away the 1/4-inch painters tape that I had used as a spacer, which revealed the world that I wished to cowl with gold leaf. I used a small artist paint brush to use the Speedball Mona Lisa Extra Thick Adhesive Size (affiliate hyperlink).

I brushed on two coats of the tremendous thick adhesive, letting the primary coat dry fully earlier than brushing on the second. The Speedball Adhesive Measurement goes on cloudy and dries clear and glossy. After making use of two coats, and letting the second coat dry completely, I utilized the gold leaf. This is the imitation gold leaf I bought (affiliate hyperlink). I’ve used this a number of instances on numerous tasks, and I’m at all times very happy with the way it seems. It’s very messy, although! 😀

After I had all the space coated with the gold leaf, I used a 1-inch artist brush to brush the entire space considerably vigorously to be able to ensure all the gold leaf was safe and to take away any extra. The I used one other brush to brush on a coat of General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in a flat finish (affiliate hyperlink). I used the flat end as a result of that’s what I at all times have readily available, however I don’t discover that it makes any distinction in any respect within the sheen of the gold leaf. Even with the flat end clear coat, the steel leaf continues to be has a really shiny metallic end.

After that high coat dried, I eliminated the painters tape.

I used a big dry paint brush to brush away all the extra gold leaf, after which added yet one more coat of the Normal Finishes Topcoat to seal the perimeters of the gold leaf.

As soon as that was dry, I reinstalled the door and gazed upon the fantastic thing about that attractive metallic shine. 😀

I imply, there’s simply merely no comparability. Attempting to mimic the look of steel will at all times fall brief. Nothing shines like an actual steel leaf.