posted
like so many before me, just enjoying retirement in Central Florida. (and a warm, deep, heartfelt Howdy Doody to all my fellow colleagues).
I consider myself pretty knowledgeable in gilding different materials but find this one a little out of my wheelhouse. consider this: a carved wooden religious Communion Chalice (goblet). must have a "food safe" sealer on the inside of the goblet and - food safe size to hold the uncoated burnished 23k gold leaf.
for an experiment, I used WATCO Butcher Block Oil & Finish for the sealer and size. which is basically Tung Oil and Mineral Spirits. after the 7 day curing time, the mineral spirits evaporates and the tung oil (varnish) becomes hard and food safe "for kitchen utensils". I ran some samples on similar wood and it "appears" to work OK. is there a gold size that will actually hold up to frequent (weekly) wetting (rinsed by hand - not in a dishwasher) that will preserve the burnished leaf and brilliance ??? the leaf will not be top coated with anything. I used Wehrung & Billmeier 23k XXX patent leaf for my experiment. the "wine" test I used on the materials was 40% alcohol cooking wine. the grape wine used in church services is maybe 6% alcohol. using the traditional metal or glass insert in the wooden goblet is not an option. so - gilding on the wood is the issue at hand.
what say ye ???
.
[ August 25, 2018, 08:19 AM: Message edited by: John Smith ]
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 816 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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Gosh, I looked up Guiled Objects in the Bible. All I could come up with was the Golden Calf. And as we all know, it turned out badly. I'm pretty sure you can eat gold and not die. You could try some of that Water based Size. How many people will be actually drinking from this goblet? You just can't share it, not sanitary. I'd be up front with the customer, tell him that there are no FDA approved food safe guilding products. Yes, you can place a leaf of 23k gold on a cupcake, but ya ain't gonna clear coat. Although, gold is GOLD, it's clean and perfect. Maybe just guild and don't clear it. I read that pure Tung Oil is used on wood items that come in contact with food.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My concern would be with someone mishandling the goblet and scratching off the gold. Without some kind of clear coat protection I would say the gold is too vulnerable. If this will be used on rare occasions I would say it's OK, but if used on a regular basis, not a good idea.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1265 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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it's done - the priest said that he will be using it once a month. it will hold wine only for maybe 20 minutes to dip the wafer/cracker and give it to the person. people will not be drinking from the goblet for the obvious sanitary reasons. after the communion service, it will be rinsed in clear water, gently hand dried and stored in a cabinet. no aggressive washing, no scotchbrite pads or dishwasher. the food safe tung oil will act as the size and it appears to work quite well. it is not about how well the gold looks on the inside of the Chalice, it is the "idea" of the wine being served from a pure gold (or gold plated) object. if and when the gold leaf starts to break down, it will be regilded. thanks to all for the input. this project is being done for a church in Rome, Italy.
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 816 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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