posted
We did this quite a bit before we got our router. Get gold colored letters (Minnesota Letters) and rough them up slighty with a green Scotchbite pad. You can use about any size, we are currently using One-Shot quick size. Coat your letters with size and wait for them to tack up and lay your leaf, we use patent leaf. Make sure you don't coat out too many letters, because you'll miss your window of oppotunity to lay your leaf. Most of the time you can get by with one guilding if you don't have too many holidays or go back and spot guild. We have letters that are still looking good after ten years using this method.
-------------------- Silver Creek Signworks Dick Bohrer Two Harbors, MN Posts: 236 | From: Two Harbors, MN USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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I was thinking you would have to use a water based size since it was plastic. I did not know you could use an oil size right on the plastic with out a bonding primer. should you clear coat it afterwards?
the slow size is suppose to give you a more brillant burnish, longer open time and is best used outdoors.
I'll have to try it!
chris
[ April 01, 2006, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: Chris Lovelady ]
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
posted
Chris, for burnishing and cleaning excess gold, try and locate a box of sterile, hospital quality cotton. This is a very pure combed cotton that will not contain anything to scratch the guild. Pinch off a small quantity between your fore-finger and thumb and have at it. Don't rub, just let the cotton fibers do the burnishing. This is always the most fun part.
A good drug store usually is a good source for this. Also you may want to handle the fresh letters with clean cotton gloves.
-------------------- Curt Stenz Graphics 700 Squirrel Lane Marathon, WI 54448 Posts: 590 | From: Marathon, WI 54448 | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Chris, I wouldn't scuff the letters as that will dull the gild by adding unessessary texture. I'd wipe the letters with a hot solvent, and airbrush a slow oil size. If the letters have threaded stud mounts set them into a piece of building foam insulation to hold them and space them off the surface. I have had too many bad experience with the 1 shot size to recommend it. Call Letterhead Sign Supply and get some LeFranc Oil Size. Let the letters sit for at least 24 hours in as dust free an environment as you have, and then throw the gold at 'em. Letterhead Supply also has these large "mops" that are terrific for pressing the gold down and polishing the letters. I have a pair of soft cotton gloves that I wear when holding the letters after gilding. The letters will last longer and look brighter without a clear coat, unless they're going where the sprinklers will hit them or people will be touching them. Hope this helps some.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6716 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Chris, No Scuffing is needed!!! Call Gemini tell them you are gold leafing they will send them to you ready to size, they leave off the finish.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Order the letters in a gold or yellow color.
Cam B. has some, wipe off, Gemini gilded letters on a board, standing in the corner, of Mike Myers studio. Sure look good.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I have always ordered white letters, scuff them with scotchbrite and spray the size on with a bit of yellow added.... I have seen Cam's technique in person and they sure do shine, but I have never done it.
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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