{"id":84189,"date":"2025-10-20T16:34:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.manetti.com\/?p=84189"},"modified":"2025-10-20T16:34:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:34:37","slug":"avoid-these-mistakes-when-applying-gold-leaf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.manetti.com\/en\/avoid-these-mistakes-when-applying-gold-leaf\/","title":{"rendered":"Avoid these mistakes when applying gold leaf"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gold, amid decorative stylistic choices, is among the brightest<\/strong>, most distinctive and obviously precious. We immediately associate it with statues and domes, icons, or church ceilings and historic buildings. It is also the protagonist of ancient frames in museums, emphasizing and enhancing the preciousness of the paintings they accompany<\/strong>. Yet its use is more current than ever: an elegant mirror framed in gold, for example, is now a trendy piece of furniture, both in shops and at home.<\/p>\n

Decorate it yourself? Of course you can, with some simple precautions<\/strong>: after all, such a precious material requires an equally careful application, for an impeccable, highly exclusive effect!
\n<\/strong>We have identified 5 of the most common mistakes <\/strong>that can be made when applying gold leaf and which you should therefore avoid.<\/p>\n

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      An imperfect surface<\/b><\/h3>\n

      The final effect we want to achieve after gilding is a smooth and even surface<\/strong>, to the point that it will look like a single, large sheet of gold leaf.
      \nIn order to obtain this result, it is important to carefully check the surface to be coated<\/strong>, ensuring that it is free of imperfections. A metal surface<\/strong>, for example, may retain old traces of oxidation, <\/strong>which are important to remove.
      \nFor wooden elements, on the other hand, it is necessary to apply shellac<\/a>, a solution that seals the pores, ensuring a smooth and even surface.<\/li>\n

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      Touching the leaf with your fingers<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Do not handle gold leaf with your fingers: you risk damaging it, making it unusable!
      \nThe correct use of gold leaf involves these three steps (and these three tools)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n