From David Marks Studio Gilding, Patination & Questions

David Marks has been a studio furniture maker in Santa Rosa, CA for over 40 years and was the host of the popular woodworking television program WoodWorks on the DIY network. He also has been a contributor to Woodworker West, since 2004.

- David Marks

All 91 episodes of the seven seasons of WoodWorks can be purchased as DVDs—by season — or as individual downloadable episodes, from David’s eStore at: www.djmarks.com/estore/.

David conducts hands-on classes in his Santa Rosa, CA studio. 2019 classes are:

July 12-14 Gilding & Chemical Patination

Aug. 16-18 Marquetry & Inlay

Oct. 3-7 Creative Turning

Oct. 17-21 Creative Turning

Dec. 6-8 Gilding & Chemical Patination

Class details are available at the website: www.djmarks.com/classes/.

Gilding & Chemical Patinations: What is it and What Can You Achieve?

We have talked about gilding and patinations frequently in this space, but some of you may not truly understand the procedure. Gilding involves laying very thin layers of metal leaf on a surface of a workpiece. Most people are familiar with gold leaf, but other metals are available in leaf form. Because patination involves tarnishing or oxidizing the metal, genuine gold is not used because it resists tarnishing. Genuine gold can be used for a contrasting accent; it will not oxidize to create a patina. Metals appropriate for patination include copper, silver, and Dutch metal leaf (aka composition gold), which is gold in color.

Chemical patinas are achieved by oxidizing the metal leaf with mild acids. Patina chemicals are mild acids that will change the color of the metal leaf (silver, copper, and Dutch metal aka composition gold). The chemicals may be applied with a brush, sea sponge, spray bottle, or rag. The intensity of the color may be controlled by how much and how long the acid is applied

The applications and effects you can achieve with the gilding and chemical patination techniques—presented in our 3-day hands-on classes in July and December)—are almost limitless.