Oil gilding for use in tough conditions, in wind and adverse weather
Oil gilding is s robust gilding technique for indoor and outdoor use. The so-called oil-size is the adhesive used to stick the gold leaf to sealed and varnished substrates.
Oil-size is generally offered in various drying times. The most well-known is the Mixtion Lefranc 3-hours drying time, and the Mixtion Lefranc 12-hours drying time.
Current products no longer have anything in common with the original oil-sizes made from linseed oil. As a result of the chemical regulations introduced in order to restrict VOCs (volatile organic compounds), the world of gilding has also changed.
Criteria that are important for durable gilding with a high sheen
- The location of the surface to be gilded
- The properties of the substrate to be gilded
- The substrate preparation / corrosion protection / varnish
- The time frame for the drying and outgassing of the layers of varnish
- The choice of the right oil-size
- The dilution of the oil-size with white spirit
- The application method of oil-size using a brush, gun, roll, foam
- The removal of the Mixtion layer with leather, foam, paper towels etc.
- The oil-size drying time
Ultimately, the type of gold leaf used by the gilder is also vital in determining whether shiny and durable gilding is achieved – and whether he opts for palladium leaf, silver leaf, gold powder, gold flakes or even composition gold, depending on the properties of the substrate or the location of the surface to be gilded.