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Metal Gilding Services
Long Island Restoration Services
Luis Restorations provides professional grade gilding services for antiques, which includes using the gilding technique for metal items. Gilding is simply the application of gold to a material, such as wood, glass, ceramic, or in this case metal. Or it is the application of copper or another metal that imitates gold. For example, a silver layer covered with a yellow varnish imitates gold. Due to our years of experience, we can handle any sort of antique restoration project. On top of gilding, we also provide various plating services, such as gold, copper and silver plating. So if you have an antique in need of restoration, then please get in touch with us! Request an estimate for the work we do.
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Processes for Gilding Metal
When it comes to gilding metal, there are 6 different processes that have been commonly used throughout history. Those 6 processes are:
- using mercury
- by electrolysis
- using a gilding paste
- by friction
- in a vacuum
- using a varnish
Let's take a deeper look at these various processes and how to utilize them. Some of these processes have taken a back seat to modern techniques. At Luis Restorations, we will look at the antique in question and settle on the best use possible.
Metal Gilding by Electrolysis
Gilding by electrolysis is a common application method and a fairly economic one, too, since the amount of gold deposited can be very minimal. A common method for jewelry, faucets or "gold-plated" bronze furniture. The object being gilded is attached to a negative terminal and placed in a tank filled with a liquid, which is the electrolyte. The gold being applied is then connected to a positive terminal and then plunged into the tank. When the electrodes are connected, the gold is then deposited onto the bronze. The quality of the gilding relies almost exclusively on the quantity of the gold deposited, so it is important to determine the thickness before buying an object.
Gilding Using Gilding Paste
Users utilize gilding paste for large or immovable objects, such as a dome or a railing. This gilding process offers a brilliance without any nuances, but the adhesion of the leaves remains fragile. These golden leaves do not resist scraping, which is why gilding paste is used mainly for architectural items that are out of the range of any shocks or scratches.
Gilding in a Vacuum
Gilding by way of a projection in a vacuum is a modern process that is used to apply small deposits, such as on the visors of astronauts to reflect the sun's rays or on the visors of firemen to reflect heat. The thickness of the gilding deposited on the visor is less than one micron. A very small amount!
Metal Gilding Using a Varnish
Gilding using a varnish is commonly used for metals and has been for centuries since it saves the quantity of gold. When you gild using a varnish, you use a yellow varnish that is applied on a heated pewter. The end effect can be misleading, but it does not resist the passing of time. Over time, the varnish will crack and the metal will end up oxidizing.
Gilding Using Mercury
When you gild using mercury, the metal object is covered with a mixture of mercury and molten gold. It is then heated to evaporate the mercury until it has completely disappeared. After cooling, the deposited gold is burnished to obtain a shiny surface. The burnishing highlights the forms and details that the monochrome gold tone unified. Due to the dangers present in this gilding process, only professionals are authorized to apply it. But it is not that common in the industry.
Gilding by Friction
Gilding by friction is an unsophisticated process that consists of scraping a gold nugget onto a hot metal. The incoming deposit that is incrusted into the surface has a variable but satisfactory thickness. This technique was very common in ancient times before the use of mercury supplanted it. It is not really something you will find anymore due to its crude finish.