# Gilding: fire, leaf and electrogilding

> Ways to gild a metal: fire gilding with mercury (historic and toxic), gold leaf, electrogilding and depletion gilding.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/gilding-fire-leaf-and-electro/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-07-15
- Updated: 2026-07-20
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/dorado-al-fuego-pan-de-oro-y-galvanico/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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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](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/dorado-steps.en.svg "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](https://www.711grados.com/en/electroplating-baths/)). 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](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold-plated-filled-vermeil-and-solid/).

## 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](https://www.711grados.com/en/electroplating-baths/))
- 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

- [Keum-boo: gold foil on silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/keum-boo/)
- [Electroplating: gold, silver and rhodium baths](https://www.711grados.com/en/electroplating-baths/)
- [Gold plated, gold filled, vermeil and solid gold: differences](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold-plated-filled-vermeil-and-solid/)