HDU and Gold Hearing clinic sign

[signmeup]

Here's one I just finished up. It's 14 feet long with 25 letters. The sign is made of 1" HDU (Corafoam) that I bonded to an Alupanel backer. It took 4 books of gold. (There are 25 3.25 x 3.25 sheets of gold in a book)
I learned to use loose gold on this project. The thing that held me back from using loose gold in the past was that I didn't know how to cut the gold. Now that I have learned the technique, I can't see me going back to transfer leaf. Loose gold is very fast once you get the knack. I cut the gold right in the book with a "pinky knife" made from a piece of a beer can. Then I pick up the cut piece with a gilders tip and lay it on the size. After all the gold is in place I tamp it down with a makeup brush. The first makeup brush I used was too firm and scratched the gold but the one I have now gives it a really nice shine. Hope you like.

Oh, I'm planning on putting the sign up on Wednesday....it's supposed to be plus 1 or 2 that day. I'll post a pic once it's up.

 

[GypsyGraphics]

Wow, it's just beautiful!
How long did it take to lay that much gold?
Can't tell what the sign reads.... can't wait to see it up!

 

[signmeup]

Thanks gg. It took about 3 hours to lay the gold. I did it in sections over a day because I wasn't sure how long it would take me with interuptions etc. and I wanted to be sure the size would stay "open" long enough to do the whole job. (I used one shot fast size.)
The sign says "WOLFVILLE HEARING CLINIC LTD."

 

[wes70]

Looks great!
Ya, you gotta take advantage of the mild weather for installs.

 

[signmeup]

Here's a pic of the beer can "pinky knife". The correct material for this knife comes from "Labatts Blue" beer cans BTW.

 

[astro8]

Nice work...I like your pinky knife..just don't forget to not scratch your ear or worse!

 

[signmeup]

Nice work...I like your pinky knife..just don't forget to not scratch your ear or worse!

That was a constant concern! I rub the gilders tip on the side of my nose and it wouldn't take much to get the sequence wrong. Incidently....I'm quite willing to send out empty Labatts Blue cans to any members who want to make their own pinky knives.... only $9.95 plus postage and handling.

 

[signmeup]

Here is a link to where I learned how to cut and apply loose gold. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=CJFRAMES#p/u/12/67LM4Iovll4
(He starts cutting the gold towards the end of the video) It's a real pleasure to watch a master at work.

 

[J Hill Designs]

nice stuff

 

[Si Allen]

You might want to consider a gilder's knife instead of that pinky cutter...much more convenient! You can cut any width simply by touching it on the leaf...no tearing of the leaf!

http://naturalpigments.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=340-GLKSNR

 

[Baz]

It's so simple and clean looking ... I looove it!

 

[signmeup]

You might want to consider a gilder's knife instead of that pinky cutter...much more convenient! You can cut any width simply by touching it on the leaf...no tearing of the leaf!

I'm guessing you didn't watch the video Si. The pinky cutter is very fast and convenient. You hold the book in your left hand and the pinky knife is on your right hand along with the gilders tip. You flip open a page with your left hand, slice the gold into however many pieces you want and pick them up with the tip. I didn't have any trouble cutting the sheets without tearing them. I was able to cut 3/16" wide strips then slice them into short sections with no difficulty. Mostly I cut the sheets into 4 strips because of the size of my letters.....very little waste.

 

[Jillbeans]

Looks really clean.
Old Jordo always had a gilder's knife with him.
If your pinky knife works for you, stay with it.
And save me a cold one.
Love....Jill

 

[signmeup]

Thanks Jill.....who's "Old Jordo"?

 

[Marlene]

very nice, clean looking sign. love the gold, it just makes the sign so classy

 

[GP]

That is some wonderful work -

Thanks for the video, which I plan to watch in its entirety over coffee. I would really love to see the technique in person.

Perhaps I can intern somewhere - hmmm, who has the best location?

Again, beautiful sign[meup],

GP

 

[signmeup]

That is some wonderful work -

Thanks for the video, which I plan to watch in its entirety over coffee. I would really love to see the technique in person.

Perhaps I can intern somewhere - hmmm, who has the best location?

Again, beautiful sign[meup],

GP

Who has the best location? This time of year?! GP, you fly me down to South Carolina and I'll show you how to gild!

 

[SignManiac]

Another nice clean design for your portfolio! Keep em coming...

Edited to add that, oddly enough, I've had a run on gold leaf signs too as of late. I wasn't selling much in recent years but all of a sudden buyer are wanting it again. I'm guessing gold mylar just isn't the same

 

[JoySigns]

Thanks for sharing your work and the link. The pros make it look so easy!

 

[signmeup]

Well....here's the done deal. It's a pretty modest design but I think it suits the storefront. What a great day for an install...... +5 and sunny.