How to Gild Books
Cover a hardback edition of your favorite book with gold leaf to create a metallic, gilded surface. Gold leaf products are available in a variety of colors and metal contents; the more gold included in the material, the more expensive the leafing sheets. For best results, gild the book in stages; work on the front cover, spine and the back cover separately. Always work with gold leaf or any type of sheet gilding material in a room that is free of drafts. The leaves move easily with the slightest provocation.
Things You'll Need
- Painter's tape
- Gold leaf primer
- Paint brush
- Gold leaf size
- Gold leaf sheets
- Clean, soft-bristled paint brush
- Acrylic gold leaf sealer
Instructions
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1
Cover sections of the book cover that you do not wish to gild with painter's tape.
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2
Apply a coat of gold leaf primer to the areas of the book cover that you intend to gild. Let the primer dry, then flip the book as needed to apply primer to the opposite side and let it dry. Primer ensures a smooth surface cover for the gilding process.
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3
Apply a layer of gold leaf size --- adhesive --- to the primed areas of the front and spine of the book cover. Brush on the size with a paint brush. Wait 15 minutes for the size to become tacky. Touch the size-coated surface; if it is dry but sticky, it's ready to gild. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the type of gold leaf size that you select.
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4
Pick up a sheet of gold leaf from the book carefully on one corner. The gold leaf sheet breaks apart easily, so avoid touching it with your fingers anywhere but at the corner. If you're having trouble, you can create static electricity by running your fingers through your hair before touching the gold leaf sheet. Place the leaf on top of the area of the book that is coated with size. Overlap the sheets as needed.
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5
Brush the sheets onto the book cover gently with a soft paint brush. The part of the sheet that is not attached to sizing will separate. Save it for later use. Follow the process to cover all of the sized areas on the front cover.
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6
Leave the book undisturbed overnight to allow the sizing to dry completely. The following day, remove any loose particles from the gilded book cover with a clean, soft paint brush.
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7
Seal the gilded book cover with an acrylic topcoat designed specifically to work with gold leafing products. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for application and dry times.
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8
Follow the sizing, leafing and sealing process to gild other areas of the book, such as the back cover and the spine.
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