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Gilding: fire, leaf and electrogilding

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Gilding: fire, leaf and electrogilding

To gild is to cover a metal with a layer of gold. There are historic and modern techniques, with different thickness, cost and safety.

Steps of the technique: Clean, Choose the method, Apply, Fix, Rinse, Polish
Summary of the steps

Fire gilding #

An amalgam of gold and mercury was spread over the piece and heated to evaporate the mercury. It left a very durable layer, but mercury vapors are toxic: today it is banned or heavily restricted and almost unused.

Gold leaf #

Very thin sheets of gold are stuck on with a mordant and burnished. It is the classic technique for gilding frames, sculptures and manuscripts.

Electrogilding #

The most widespread today: a layer of gold is deposited with electricity in a bath (see electroplating). Its thickness runs from tenths of a micron to several microns.

Depletion gilding #

In gold-copper alloys (tumbaga), copper is removed from the surface so a layer of pure gold remains. It was used by Andean and Colombian peoples.

Choosing #

To see the difference between plated, filled and vermeil, see the guide to plating and vermeil.

Step by step #

  1. Clean. Degrease and polish the piece.
  2. Choose the method. Fire, gold leaf or electroplating bath.
  3. Apply. Cover the surface with gold.
  4. Fix. Heat, press or connect the current.
  5. Rinse. Rinse with water.
  6. Polish. Tidy up with a soft cloth.

Tools and materials #

  • Gold leaf or plating bath (electroplating)
  • Tank and rectifier (plating method)
  • Polishing cloth
  • Gloves and ventilation

Common mistakes #

  • Dirty surface: the gold does not take.
  • A thin layer that wears away soon.
  • Mixing the bath's substances.
  • Touching the piece with fingers after cleaning.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.