You can use silver, gold, copper and aluminum leaf to create a metallic surface on wood and metal.Specialty products must be purchased in order to make furniture with silver leaf.It is possible to become proficient in the process of applying leaf and burnish it inside of a single project.
Step 1: If you want to find all the supplies for your refinishing, go to a brick and mortar store or an online craft store.
Step 2: A book of silver leaf is available for purchase.
There are books that are 50 and 500 pages.A small table needs 50 pages, while a large one needs a larger book.
Step 3: If you want to save money, opt for aluminum leaf.
It costs less and has the same effect as a mirrored surface.
Step 4: Decide if you want to silver leaf the entire piece of furniture or paint some of the surface with silver spray paint.
If you want to save money, you can use a silver spray paint, like Rustoleum.
Step 5: Purchase a 3-hour set of gilding.
You need this for the silver leaf.You will need regular bristle paint brushes to apply it.
Step 6: Purchase a primer or a paint color.
The paint color can be seen if the silver leaf is disturbed.Try a brown paint color or a grey primer if you are going for an antique look.
Step 7: If you want to burnish the gold leaf, you should buy soft bristled paintbrushes.
Step 8: You should get a clear coat.
It has to be transparent and can be lacquer or polyacrylic.
Step 9: If the piece of furniture is chipping, remove the paint from it.
A chemical stripper can be applied in aventilated area.Put the stripper on the surface with a brush and then use a knife to remove it.When working with chemical stripper, wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves, a mask, and long-sleeved clothing.
Step 10: Put sand on the furniture.
If you want to get rid of scratches, start with a medium-grit paper.To smooth the surface, finish with a fine-grit paper.
Step 11: Place a broom on the surface.
Next, wipe the surface with a cloth.Before you start painting or leafing, you should clean your area with a shop vacuum.
Step 12: The primer should be grey.
If you want to paint the surface with brown paint, you should start with a layer of primer.
Step 13: Allow the paint to cure for a day or two before leafing.
The paint or primer instructions tell you how long it will take to cure.
Step 14: The furniture should be painted with a three-hour quick set gilding size.
The package directions tell you how long it will take to lay the silver leaf.It must be dry before it becomes tacky.It will be easier to gild the large flat surface.You can move on to the sides and more complicated areas once you have the process down.If you want to leaf within one to one and a half hours, paint on gilding size.After it has cured, the glue won't work for leafing.When the surface becomes tacky, set a timer to make sure you return to your project.
Step 15: When the time is up, return.
When working with silver leaf, move slowly since it tears easily and can't be touched with your bare hands.
Step 16: The spine of the book is near the palm of your hand.
You can see the first sheet of leaf under the tissue paper if you peel it back from the top.
Step 17: You just set a gilding size on the surface, and you want to position your hand at one corner.
Press the leaf onto the drawer lightly.You don't need to press hard because the leaf will stick to the size.
Step 18: Turn to the next sheet of silver leaf after you pick your hand up.
Place your hand next to the leaf you just laid down.You should overlap it by at least one-half inch in the beginning.The leaf will be removed later.
Step 19: Within three hours of painting on the piece of furniture, tile silver leaf all over the surface.
Step 20: Take your brush and lightly brush the surface.
There are areas where the leaf overlaps.Burnishing can remove excess leaf, but using too much pressure can break the corners.
Step 21: If there are holes in the silver leaf, you should gather some excess pieces of it.
Continue burnishing until the leaf is gone.You can still see the seams until you seal them.Rub N Buff silver color can be applied before you seal it to get rid of bare spots.
Step 22: On the other sides of the furniture, repeat.
Extra care is taken with legs and drawers.It will be difficult to apply the leaf around these areas.Before you seal it, burn the entire piece of furniture.If you want to spray paint silver, you should silver leaf the areas that are close to each other so that the paint has time to cure.
Step 23: The easiest way to apply spray paint is with a sprayer.
A soft-bristled brush can be used to paint a clear coat.
Step 24: Use a very gentle stroke to apply the seal.