Advice on Re-Gilding.

Hi all,
I buy antique silver gilt sewing tools sometimes and often the gilt is rubbed, Some people like it like that but I have an interest in Re-gilding.
There are products on Amazon but items such as thimbles that are patterned need a liquid gilt.

Has anyone had any luck or experience with Re-gilding and has any particular product worked well?

Thanks in advance

 

When you mean gilding, do you mean solid silver pieces, with...basically...gold-plating on top?

The old, old, OLDschool way of doing this was through fire-gilding (using that delightful substance mercury).

I daresay you could electroplate them in gold, that would work just as well, although I dunno how long it would last.

 

Yes its silver items that have been gilded with a thin layer of gold.
They don't look as attractive when it wears thin so I'm looking for a product that will simulate gilding.

These items will just be in display cabinets so it doesn't have to be hard wearing.

 

There is a product called Rub-n-Buff (which probably does not contain real gold) that a relative swore by when doing just what you intend to do. I know nothing more about it - I'm not even sure if my spelling of the name is correct!

 

Hi,
I use gold leaf. I used to use real gold leaf but it is sooooooo expensive now. I use an imitation golf leaf but it needs some extra work to match it to old leafing. Some times I use silver leaf and when it is done I cover it with yellow shellac which makes the silver leaf turn to gold. It will not tarnish for a long long time. The difference is if you want to match the gold completely or just cover a bad spot. Most of my work is done on picture frames. I guess that metal pieces just for display would work also.
greg

 

Now you mention that I remember I used some of that years ago but I can't remember what for......
I'll add that to list of possibles....
Thank you

 

Thanks Greg, another possible

 

If I remembering correctly, her "rave" over it was that it didn't leave a "line" like a liquid product did and was not as pronounced. It blended well for a subtle effect......or something like that.

 

Ok....
I have some silver thimbles in my scrap that have holes in so I can practice on those.

 

Rub 'n Buff
Formulated from Carnauba waxes, fine metallic powders, and select pigments for a finish no paint can duplicate. Rub onto clean, dry, or previously painted surfaces or on post-fired ceramics with a finger or soft cloth, then gently buff to a beautiful luster. More buff, more shine! Five times more product than other brands.

https://www.amaco.com/t/mixed-media/metallic-finishes/rub-n-buff

 

There's also a product by the same manufacturer as Rub n Buff called Brush n Leaf which looks good.
Not available here on Amazon uk though.