Protecting Gold/Silver Leaf?

I was reading Safariknut's excellent tech on how to apply gold leaf. I was wondering how you might protect it when you were done.

Can you just bury it in clear without messing up the thin layer of gold/silver leaf? If so, will the clear coat even adhere properly to those metals?

 

Greazer...clear coat will work fine

 

I just finished clearing a couple leafed panels(including my Tech Panel)with 1-Shot tinting clear.I've used PPG 2021 clear over it and as long as you gradually build up the clear,it shouldn't lift.
Try misting a first coat on and waiting about 10 minutes,misting a second coat and wait another 10 minutes and then wet coat as usual.You shouldn't have a problem.
Ray

 

Imitation Gold leaf contains Copper,so it will discolor if it is not protected.
Imitation Silver is actually Aluminum,so it will oxidize if not protected.

Real Gold won't tarnish,and depending on conditions,will stand up better than any clear.
Alot of real hardcore Gold Leaf guys do not clear their work.

If it's an automotive application,
it might be better to bury it in clear or someone will polish through it.
Motorcycle gas tanks get cleared for sure.
Dust on the first couple coats of clear real dry,then give it a wet coat.
The size can wrinkle if the clear goes on too wet,depending on the solvents used.
The hotter the solvent,the greater the risk.

 

Sweet panels Safariknut!

Are you bringing those to the Autorama?

 

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Are you bringing those to the Autorama?

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The one pictured above I'm bringing there.It's still a work in progress.
The only reason I clear over real gold leaf is that I find that it is still very susceptible to scratching.As far as oxidizing goes,that is not a problem with real gold.The variegated gold leaf is really bronze(an alloy of copper and brass)that has been chemically(acid?)discolored and will turn green if left unprotected.Certain cheaper varieties will turn green when they are clearcoated or at the very least lose some of their coloration(mostly the reds go away).The enclosed pic of my hood shows variegated gold leaf that was applied about 4 years ago with only 1 coat of 1-Shot Tinting Clear for protection and it looks as good as the day it was applied.
Ray

 

I clearcoated mine too (1 coat) - works great