Kölner Aqua size (Application milk) is a water-based gilding adhesive for indoor use only. It is only suitable for metal leafs that are thicker than genuine gold, such as imitation gold, silver, copper, variegated, and colored leafs.
How to apply the Aqua Size:
- The surface must be dust-free and, if possible, non-absorbent.
- Apply the size with a soft and smooth size brush.
- Wait for about 15 minutes till the size becomes sticky, not wet or dry.
- You now have up to 60 hours to gild before the size becomes dry. (the room temperature, humidity and the gilding surface affect the drying time.)
- When gilding with imitation metal leaf, it is best to use Gilder’s Gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints on the metal leafs, as these fingerprints will show up later after you finish gilding.
- To apply the metal leafs onto the surface without scratching the metal leafs, use either Gilder’s Gloves or Wool Brush.
The Aqua Size is water-based and must be protected against frost.
For gilding on glass, metal, and plastic, use the Kölner Permacoll HA product. It is the same as the Aqua size application but has been further developed to enable a higher-quality result on these types of surfaces.
Coverage: about 150ml per m².