Kolner Classic Poliment—also known as bole—is a clay-like substance. It serves as a base layer for the leaf gold when gilding poliment. It is applied to the prepared surface, which is usually Gesso. Gesso is a mixture of Gilder’s Whiting (chalk) and Rabbit Skin Glue. The poliment layer and the underlying layer of Gesso create a layer that permits the polishing of gold with agate burnishers. Poliment gilding can only be used on absorbing surfaces.
It is an unbound poliment (unprepared) and has to be prepared with rabbit skin glue before it can be applied. This poliment is already processed with water to a paste.
Advantages:
- Very good gradation
- Does not pearl
- Excellent covering power
- Needs little RSG
- Wet Bole
How to prepare Kolner Classic Poliment for gilding:
- Before using the clay (bole), it has to be prepared with rabbit skin glue before it can be applied. This clay has already been processed with water to make a paste, but you must add some rabbit skin glue first.
- Depending on how thick or thin you want your clay to be, add one part Poliment and one part rabbit skin glue (liquid form).
- The poliment must be warm when adding the rabbit skin glue.
- Mix gently, not creating air bubbles, until the texture is consistent, runny, and smooth.
- For best results, apply two to three thin coats using the Gilder’s Bole Brush of this clay onto a perfectly smooth surface, such as Gesso.
- After the classic poliment has dried, polish the surface with the Steel Wool Pad or Fiber Cloth to a perfect state. At this point, your classic moment must look clean, shiny, smooth, and free from dust.
- Prepare the gold leaf water using the Rabbit Skin Glue Tablet or a pre-made Kolner Colnafix Gilder’s Size. This mixture will wet the clay surface, allowing the gold leaf to stick.
- Apply the gold leaf and let it dry for at least 5 hours.
- Your gilded surface is now ready to be burnished with the Agate Burnisher Stone.
- Buff any gold flakes on the surface with the Gilder’s Mob/Duster Brush.
- Normally, 24k gold leaf does not need to be varnished to protect it from oxidization. However, for less than 24k, use Kolner Leaf Protect Varnish to seal the surface.