A beautiful architectural metal design can often stand on its own as a statement feature of a home or property. It’s possible, though, to take the design a step further using a paint or patina on all or one portion of the structure.

AIDI is fortunate to be a supplier of Goldfarben’s high-quality line of metallic paints, which just got a new addition. Goldfarben has offered silver leaf and bronze finishes in the past, but they have recently added a 23.5 carat gold leaf option!

This new color is special in that it was designed to precisely match nearly 24 carat gold, elevating your metal and wood designs.

When to Use Gold Leaf Paints

Goldfarben’s paint was originally created when Grant Penfield lost his younger brother, Craig, and recognized a need for a gold paint to use on his gravestone that could mimic gold leaf and withstand years of weathering. Craig’s gold leaf paint was formulated and tested to withstand all elements and remain vibrant in the long term.

Over time, it has also proven to work wonderfully in ornamental and architectural settings. If you have aspects of your gate, railing, or fence design that are meant to stand out, or if you want to draw attention to a specific section, you can highlight it with a paint or patina.

You can use this line of paints both indoors and outdoors, and it can be applied to steel, iron, aluminum, stone, and wood.

Above: This is one brush we would recommend using to apply the gold leaf paint. If you have other preferences, they should work as well.

Right: Example of one coat of the gold leaf paint applied to a steel top.

How to Apply Craig’s Gold Leaf Paint

Not only does the Craig’s 23.5 C gold leaf paint have excellent brush-ability, but it is suited for spraying, making for an even faster experience. If you would like to apply the paint by spraying it on, you should adjust the viscosity by adding only up to 10% white spirit.

Before applying any paint or patina, ensure that your surface is degreased, clean, dry, and free from debris. In this case, no primer is required, but for the best application and finished product, you should consider sanding your surface.

Our tip: Apply one coat thinly (it’s okay if it looks patchy), allow to dry completely, then apply a second coat. This will result in the perfect saturation of gold brilliance.

Here’s some information about drying times based on environment, temperature, and humidity:

• 86°F: 15 minutes touch dry and 24 hours complete dry
• 68°F: 30 minutes touch dry and 24 hours complete dry
• 50°F: 90 minutes touch dry and 36 hours complete dry
• 41°F: 3 hours touch dry and 48 hours complete dry

Another tip: A warm, sunny day with a gentle breeze and low humidity will result in the fastest drying time.

The Industry’s Best Metallic Paints

Using Craig’s 23.5 Carat Gold Leaf is a great economical alternative to real gold leaf, and it can even be mixed and blended to create a range of colors and shades.

This is the first product to actually replicate the color and retention of real gold leaf. It boasts the same immunity to weathering, fading, aging, and tarnishing but at a fraction of the cost. It’s convenient and authentic-looking; to the untrained eye, your finished projects will look like solid gold.

You can order a 30ml (1 oz) glass bottle for your next project here. Reach out to us if you have any questions about the product or for inspiration for your next project.