How can I add gold leaf to glass and be able to use glass cleaner on it without it rubbing off?!?

Question

I do stained glass and would like to incorporate gold leaf into my windows. Thanks.

Answer 1

You can purchase the following products at any fine art store.
I have given some suppiers links below.
This is the Imitation gold leaf that works without coming off on glass; http://www.dickblick.com/zz270/12/
There is a specific product for sealing gold leaf. It is called
Gold Leaf Sealer, I have used the one from the MONA LISA brand with good results, it is a clear matt protective overcoat for gold leaf. http://www.hyatts.com/art/gold-leaf-2oz-sealer-X70727
http://www.crfolks.org/Gold_Leaf.html
http://www.currys.com/artistsmaterial/prodviewer.asp?catID=7
http://www.misterart.com/store/view.cfm?group_id=8941514&store=003
You can try some of these products in combination or to experiment wiith your stain glass work especially the
RANGER Memory Glass,PALMER Glass Stain, DIAMOND TECH Studio Line Stained Glass Foil,DELTA PermEnamel Glitter Glaze, DELTA PermEnamel Glaze- satin glaze,
DELTA PermEnamel Accent Liners (You could use in between your stained glass and your gold leaf), or DECOART Glass-tiques.;
http://www.misterart.com/store/browse/003/cat_id/233/Craft-Supplies-Glass-Tile-Art--Glass--Tile-Painting.htm
GOLD LEAF & METALLIC CO. Metallic and Mica Powders,
QUEST Duo Embellishing Adhesive, MONA LISA Extra Thick Metal Leaf Adhesive,MONA LISA Metal Leaf Sealer,MONA LISA Variegated Metal Leaf,
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/goldleaf/
Roll Gold can be used in small quantities and for borders, not the best for your use perhaps;
http://www.dickblick.com/zz270/10/
http://www.dickblick.com/zz270/04/
The absolute best products in my opinion are these two products; MONARCH 23-Karat Gold Leaf combined with ROLCO Rabbit Skin Glue.http://www.misterart.com/store/browse/003/cat_id/51/Craft-Supplies-Gold-Leaf.htm
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&fr2=sfp&p=Gold+leaf+sealer&meta=vc%3D
Article on TYPE OF GOLD LEAF TO USE from the Artists & Gilders Decorative Studio; http://members.tripod.com/fauxfinishoci/id398.htm
More articles and information on use on sites below;
http://www.goldleafcompany.com/gold_leaf_accessories.html
http://www.artsparx.com/askartSparx/message.asp?message=1384&board=8
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Gold+leaf+sealer+for+glass&y=Search&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&x=wrt
Silly one to look at from HGTV:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_faux_gold_leaf_gilding/article/0,1793,HGTV_3399_1369570,00.html
Hope this helped,
Cheers!

Answer 2

If you want to make stained glass items that can be put out in the world to be cleaned, you are going to have to coat them with something or fire the glass pieces to melt the leaf in place. Otherwise the gold is too soft and fragile to clean with anything other than a wet slightly soapy solution.

Answer 3

If you want to give it a protective coating, you can spray with a clear acrylic spray or clear lacquer (Krylon, Tremclad, urethane - matte finish or gloss) or varnish it. Make certain gold size is totally dry before applying protective coating.
Test small piece to see if this is sufficient protection.

If you want/need more protection you could try out clear resin on top. If you have glas of varying thickness, you could also take two thinner pieces of glass and sandwich your gold leaf in between.

Answer 4

Try using pure vinegar. It's one of the main ingredients in glass cleaner, but without the harshness. Use it on a small sample first to see what it will do. It doesn't smell that great but it gets the job done