How to Use Silver Leaf with an Agate Burnisher
- 1). Place the object or painting to be leafed on a flat, stable surface away from breezes and other people. Remove all dust because it can reduce the silver leaf's sticking ability.
- 2). Apply bole color in an even, opaque layer. This base color keeps chips and scratches in the leaf from seeming obvious. Allow bole color to dry fully before proceeding. This process takes only a few minutes for water-based boles but may take longer if an oil base is used.
- 3). Coat the area to be leafed in adhesive size. Apply an even film over the area. Allow the size to dry to a tacky state, where it is not wet but still sticky.
- 4). Carefully remove a single piece of silver leaf from its protective paper. Gently lay the piece of silver leaf over the area to be leafed, then rub it lightly with a gilder's brush. If leafing a three-dimensional object, take care to work the leaf into the crevices and low spots.
- 5). Burnish the leaf. Rub the surface of the silver leaf gently with an agate burnisher to provide shine and work leaf into all crevices. Do not use heavy pressure or long strokes, as these create a risk of tearing.
- 6). Apply a thin layer of acrylic topcoat using either a brush or spray and allow it to dry fully. Alternatively, leave the silver leaf exposed and allow it to oxidize naturally to provide an antiqued appearance instead of bright silver.