How to Apply Gold Leaf to Glass
Sign makers have gilded house numbers in gold leaf for centuries. This craft is also called reverse gilding on glass, and some people call it verre églomisé. We gild the numbers by hand on the inside of your glass transom. The result is a bright, mirror-like finish that reads clearly from the street.
How Gold Leaf Sticks to Glass
First, we clean the glass. Next, we cover it with a mixture of water and gelatin, which works like a glue. It’s easy to use, but it dries fast, so we work quickly.
Then we lay the gold leaf onto the wet glass with a soft gilder’s tip. The leaf jumps from the tip straight onto the glass. Once the gold dries, we polish it. After that, we repeat the process to fill any gaps, and sometimes a third layer is needed.
What Kind of Gold Leaf We Use
We use real gold leaf. Glass gilding needs genuine gold or palladium leaf, because other leaf doesn’t work on glass. Our numbers are gilded in 23 karat gold. With a little care, gold leaf numbers can last for many decades.
Protect the Gold with Backup Paint
Last, we cover the back of the numbers with backup paint. It keeps the gold safe and makes it look richer. Without it, the gold would look thin and see-through. The paint also helps the gold reflect light.
How to Care for Gold Leaf House Numbers
Your numbers will look great for years, and cleaning them is easy. First, don’t spray cleaner directly on the numbers. Second, don’t rub them with rough sponges or brushes. Instead, spray cleaner on a paper towel and wipe the glass around the numbers. If the back gets dusty, use a feather duster gently.
Traditional gold leaf numbers look great on your home, and they add value to your property. We travel from our Edgewater, MD shop to gild transoms in Washington, DC, Annapolis, Baltimore and Northern Virginia. We’re always busy, but we can usually schedule an installation within two or three weeks. The job takes about five hours on site. We work Monday through Friday, start around 7 am, and most jobs finish by 1 or 2 in the afternoon.
Our supplier for gold leaf and gilding tools: wbgoldleaf.com
Gold Leaf House Numbers: Photos and Information
- Glass Gilding – John Logan House
- Transom Window House Numbers
- Gold Leaf Transom Numbers – 1833 Baltimore
- Gold Leaf Address – Washington DC 1645
- Glass Gilding – 1441 Transom Numbers
See more of our glass gilding: Golden House Numbers and Gold Address Numbers – 1204.
Contact Designs & Signs
The quickest way to get started on your project is to send us an email.
We can also be reached by phone at (410) 798-5115.