Q&A: Should I clear coat over gold leaf?
By signcraft
Posted on Sunday, August 14th, 2022
One of the popular features in SignCraft
from years past was called “Reader to Reader.” In the days before the Internet, it was a way to send in a question that other readers could answer. Our Q&A posts work much the same way, but the replies appear as the comments below the questions.
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Most of my gold leaf is on boat transoms. I clear with Awlgrip high solids clear. Sometimes I will also apply the size on top of the gold leaf, let it dry and then spray a couple of dry coats before applying the wet coats of the Awlgrip. This helps it bond to the leaf. On carved signage I don’t clear.
Always clear coat boats and vehicles, (we use Sikkens Automotive Clear), but NEVER, NO NEVER, clear coat a sign that will not be subject to abrasion. The gold will outlast anything that you put over it.