Gravestones and Gold leaf

[elgreco]

Hi, is there anyone in our community who has any experience in re doing the gold leaf on a gravestone? I would like to restore the lettering on my fathers gravestone which is black smooth granite I think. It’s 41 years old now but been looked after but over time the lettering has lost the gold. I’ve read to use minimum 23ct gold leaf for external work to avoid discolouration. Can anyone provide any hints and tips on the best way to tackle it and best place to buy the correct stuff? 

Thanks

Tom

[elgreco]

[steve_b_wales]

I enquired about this a year ago, as I wanted to renew the lettering on the bench that was purchased by the school that my son attended. I was told that it would be best to ask the stonemason who fitted the plaque. I haven't done this as yet.

[Scully]

I have painted quite a few over the years with Zinsser paints as a primer before applying gold enamel paint over this. It works well but have never tried gold leaf and didn't realise it would weather as well as you say it has. 

[CharlieT]

I found this, with google, posted on another forum 

 

Used to do this for a living!

First off - get rid of all the old gold lettering using nitro-mors paint stripper.
Give it a good pressure wash off.

Next - paint the letters with yellow emanel paint, the type in the tiny tins you get in model shops to paint airfix kits.
Wait until the paint is half dry and still a little tacky, then apply gold leaf with a very soft brush.

Wait until the paint is fully dry then clean off with a diamond pad and water.

Key here is to have a very stready hand and make sure the yellow paint doesn't run over the edge of teh letter and leave a yellow 'halo' around the lettering.

Tip: If the marble is very old it's surface may be full of tiny pits which will snag the gold leaf - mask off the whole headstone to avoid having to spend hours picking tiny bits of gold out of the surrounding surface of the stone!

I also found this.........https://www.masonrysupplies.co.uk/product/gold-leaf-paint-250ml/

 

Edited November 6, 2018 by CharlieT

[figgy]

I think it’s done very well for it’s age. 

Using the correct base for the gold leaf is the key. 

[Scully]

You can also buy gold powders which will adhere to and become part of the paint if the paint is still wet. 

[Konnie]

Do plenty of research no rush as I would say best results will be gained in dry summer days, granite will remain moist and cold all day this time of year,