The next step is to lay the gold leaf Into the tacked up size. I can tell the size is ready by gently dragging my knuckle over the size (in a test area off my real piece). It should make a squeaking noise.

I then take my patent gold and gently press it onto the letters which have been coated with size. I burnish it down and then lift the paper off. The gold will stay. Once I gild an area I go over it with a special large soft brush and brush off the loose gold. Loose flakes of gold will fall like snow to the floor. As you can see in the photos the gold is a LOT brighter by far than the metallic paints I put on yesterday. The gold is left as is for clear coats would only dim the brightness. The sign is done just like that.

I’ll post pics of the finished sign in the next installment.

Stay tuned...

-grampa dan