How to Gold Leaf a Tabletop

Gold leaf will transform any tabletop into a regal surface fit for a queen. There are many different kinds of leaf - tissue-thin sheets of metal - that you can purchase at art supply and craft stores, including silver leaf, bronze leaf and copper leaf.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Brushes
• Gold Leaf
• Gold Leaf Size
• Polyurethane Finishes
• paints for undercoat, if desired

1. Prepare the tabletop: Strip and sand (if necessary) and clean.
2. Brush on a gold leaf size - the adhesive coating that the leaf will stick to. Make sure to read the label, especially in regards to timing.
3. Wait for the appropriate amount of time.
4. Lay the sheets of leaf carefully onto the size - metal side down - and slide the backing off, beginning at one end of the table and working your way to the other. (They're fragile and small - large sheets would be impossible.) The sheets should overlap slightly; the loose edges will be brushed off so that you end up with a single layer.
5. Wait about an hour to allow the leaf to adhere fully.
6. Brush the leaf smooth with a soft brush and remove any excess leaf (blowing is the easiest way to do this).
7. Wait 24 hours.
8. Seal the top with polyurethane.

Tips & Warnings

• "Composition leaf" is made up of a variety of metals to mimic gold and sometimes looks more gold than the real thing - and it's much less expensive.
• Acrylic size dries faster and is easier to clean up than traditional oil-based size.
• Consider painting a color underneath the leaf for added depth. The color will come through the natural imperfections and cracks in the leaf, adding a glowing undertone.
• For additional depth, try tinting the polyurethane finish by mixing in a bit of pigment.
• If all this sounds too complicated, check out the many varieties of metallic paint.
• The hardest part of gold leafing is getting the thin, fragile sheets to lie down; even a mild puff of wind is a danger at this stage.