Applying gold to glass, often for decorative purposes like signage or artwork, typically involves a process called gilding using a specific adhesive to bond ultra-thin gold leaf to the surface.
The Process of Glass Gilding
Based on the provided reference, one common method for applying gold to glass, particularly in traditional gilding, uses a specialized adhesive called Gelatin Size. This technique ensures the gold adheres smoothly and remains visually clear when viewed through the glass.
Key Steps Using Gelatin Size
The application process with Gelatin Size involves preparing the adhesive and carefully applying the gold leaf:
- Prepare the Adhesive: A specific type of adhesive known as Gelatin Size is dissolved in warm water.
- Apply the Size: The dissolved Gelatin Size solution is floated or poured over the glass surface where the gold is to be applied.
- Immediate Gold Application: While the Gelatin Size is still wet or pooling on the glass, the gold leaf is applied immediately onto the wet adhesive layer.
- Drying: The size and gold are allowed to dry completely.
Why Gelatin Size?
Using Gelatin Size in this method is crucial because, according to the reference, once dry, there is no discolorization when viewing the gold through the glass (and adhesive layer). This property is essential for techniques like reverse glass gilding, where the gold is applied to the back of the glass and viewed from the front, requiring a crystal-clear adhesive layer.
This method is a precise craft that requires careful execution to achieve a flawless, reflective gold finish visible through the glass.
