How to use gilding cream properly on Ash ?

[PhillH]

Right having had a scout about the web and viewed Mark Rabys video, I still have some questions.

After sanding people advise to rough the grain with a wire brush, I have a brass suede brush which I think will be OK for the prupose ?

Do I carefully rough along the grain lines (hope that makes sense) prior to putting on the ebonising lacquer as I'm thinking that if I don't follow the grain line carefully then the gilding cream will show up in the little scratches where I've carefully sanded?

Does any of the above make sense ?

I really want to get this right.

 

[Bigblackdog]

i used it on elm, and didnt rough it at all. sanded, dyed it black, rubbed on gilt cream and removed excess with hard wax oil (i didnt have any danish to hand) worked well.

 

[Neil Lawton]

Never done any of that!
Sand to 400, Ebonise the wood, rub in the gilding cream and wipe off the excess, give it 10mins then burnish.
If you brush it the gilt will probably show up the brush marks!

 

[GeordieB]

Ive done it on ash with a small brass brush Phil sanded as normal and brushed with the lathe running nice affect

 

[paulm]

It would be interesting to find out how you've done it when you find out Phil

 

[Dalboy]

I don't use a brush things like ash and oak lend themselves well to this process as Neil says sand, ebonise and then apply Gilt cream. As also pointed out any scratches you put onto the piece the cream will show them up. Also ideal for highlighting texture work as in the lid on this box

 

[Woody]

As Neil said woods like Ash , Oak are course grained wood that are ideal for gilding and liming just rub it in across the grain and wipe of any excess again across the grain if it gets stubborn just rub over it with a bit of paste wax

 

[Penpal]

Make up for timber why not.

Peter.

 

[Doug]

I used to use glid cream quite a lot, here's one I made earlier

A blog of wood: 13/03/11 - 20/03/11

You're fine with a swede brush just go gently & only clean with the grain, you're only trying to clean out the grain if you're worried give it a blast out with compressed air, the better you clean out the grain the better the effect.
I've found Lemon oil the best for cleaning off the dried gilt cream, if you have any of that, worth getting some for the inside of vessels if nothing else.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with Phill

 

[TK woodman]

Here's one i'm on with at the moment Phil - I cleaned the grain with a brass rotary brass brush in a dremall covered it in indian ink for the black then used my home made liming wax then finished with clear wax. Hope this helps

 

[Shaver]

I never use a wire brush. It does work, but if you make any marks they will fill with the paste. My method is sand to approx. 400 grit, blow out the piece with a air gun. Ebonise if needed, then rub in the gilding/liming paste rubbing it in with a circular motion so you don't miss any bits. Leave for 20 mins. or so, then remove excess using kitchen roll and oil, cleans and finishes all in one. Continue with a couple more coats of oil as each one dries, then buff on a wheel.