Imitation Gold Leaf is a very popular product that has been used for centuries in the art of painting, and it’s still being used today. With it, you can make pretty much anything you can imagine look gold and shiny without paying the price of gold for it!
If you’ve never applied an imitation gold leaf to a surface before, then fear not. We’re here to give you the information that you need in order to correctly apply imitation gold leaf to any surface you can imagine.
Where Imitation Gold Leaf Can be Used
Interior Decorating – If you want your walls or furniture to have an elegant golden glow, you should definitely try applying imitation gold leaf to them. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to get that same effect. You can also use it on other surfaces such as mirrors, picture frames, light switches, and more.
Most imitation gold leaf is not recommended for applying to exteriors, however. The reason why is because it will eventually peel off if exposed to moisture, so it’s best to use it indoors where there isn’t any moisture.
How To Choose Imitation Gold Leaf
When choosing an imitation gold leaf, you’ll first want to decide what kind of finish you’d like to achieve. You can choose from matte, satin, gloss, or even metallic finishes.
You should also consider what type of surface you will be applying the imitation gold leaf to. If you are using it on wood, you will probably want to go with the satin or glossy finish. For fabric, you may want to go with the matte finish. For glass, you might want to go with the metallic finish.
You’ll also want to consider how thick you want your finished piece to be. If you are looking for something thin and delicate, then you may want to go with a thinner application. On the other hand, if you want something thicker and more durable, you may want to opt for a heavier application.
How to Apply Imitation Gold Leaf to Wooden Surfaces
Applying imitation gold leaf to wooden surfaces is actually quite simple. Start out by preparing the surface – clean the surface beforehand so dirt and grime doesn’t get trapped underneath the imitation gold leaf. Then, all you need to do is take some imitation gold leaf, and place it on top of the wood. Then, simply rub the imitation gold leaf down onto the surface until it sticks.
It really doesn’t matter which side of the wood you start on. Just pick whichever side looks better to you. Once you’ve done this, just let it dry completely. Afterward, you can sand it down if needed.
How to Apply Imitation Gold Leaf to Glass Surfaces
Appling imitation gold leaves to glass surfaces is a little bit different than applying them to wooden surfaces. Clean the surfaces first of all. Then, apply the imitation gold leaf to both sides of the glass. Make sure that you don’t apply too much pressure when rubbing it down. Otherwise, you risk scratching the surface.
Once you’ve completed these steps, allow the imitation gold leaf to dry thoroughly. Then, you can sand it as necessary.
How to Apply Imitation Gold Leaf to Fabric Surfaces
Applying imitation gold leaf to fabric surfaces is similar to applying them to glass surfaces. However, instead of using glass, you’ll be using fabric. So, you’ll first need to prepare the surface. This means cleaning it. Then, you’ll need to iron the imitation gold leaf onto the fabric.
Next, once the imitation gold leaf has dried, you can remove the paper backing. And finally, you can iron it again to make sure everything is stuck properly.
How to Apply Imitation Gold Leaf to Ceramic Surfaces
Applying faux gold leaves to ceramic surfaces is a lot easier than applying them to wood or glass. All you have to do is use a paintbrush to spread the imitation gold leaf across the surface. Then, once it’s applied, you can smooth it out with a cloth.
If you’re not happy with how the faux gold leaf turned out, you can always add another layer. But remember, you only want to do this after letting it dry completely.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! That’s how you can apply imitation gold leaf to any surface. It’s not difficult at all. In fact, it’s very easy to do. So, now that you know how to apply imitation gold leaf, we hope you’re ready to give it a try.
