How To Apply Gold Wax Paste On Wood? Gilding Supplies

Metallic gold gilders wax or paste enhances carved details, adds an antique appearance, or creates a metallic edge on wood. Because gilding wax is highly concentrated, you only need a small amount.

Follow this step-by-step guide to achieve a smooth, professional metallic finish.

1. Prepare the Surface

Clean and sand the wood to remove dust, dirt, and oils. For raw wood, sand until smooth and wipe clean.
Apply a base coat if possible. Gedeo Gilding Wax performs best on painted or sealed surfaces. Dark colours such as charcoal, black, deep navy, or burgundy enhance the gold and create an antique effect.

2. Choose Your Application Tool

Applying Pepeo wax with your finger is common for raised details. Your hand’s warmth softens the wax for easier blending and control. Use a latex or nitrile glove for easy cleanup.
A small bristle brush or stencil is effective for reaching deep crevices, creating textured strokes, or working with stencils.

3. Apply the Wax

Lightly dip your finger, brush, or microfibre-cloth into the paste. Blot off any excess on a paper towel before applying it to the wood. It is easier to add more wax than to remove excess.
To highlight raised edges, gently run your finger or brush over carvings, corners, and details, allowing the gold wax to catch on the high points. For a more solid metallic look, use a small brush to work the paste into the recessed grain or carvings.

4. Cure and Buff

Allow the gilder’s wax to dry and bond to the surface. This typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, with full curing up to 12 hours. Once dry to the touch, gently buff the gilded areas with a clean, dry, lint-free microfiber cloth. Light buffing produces a satin finish, while additional buffing creates a polished gold appearance.

5. Sealing:

Most gilding waxes contain strong waxes and resins that harden on their own, so a topcoat is usually not necessary.

If your project will experience heavy use, apply a clear topcoat, such as polyvine or varnish, before applying the gilding wax. Do not apply water-based topcoats directly over gilding wax, as they can dull the shine or cause the wax to smear. Goldfinger is an all-purpose, rub-on metallic sovereign gold paste. It can be used for various applications, including restoring antiques and gilding picture frames. In addition to wood, Goldfinger can be applied to many surfaces. However, drying behaviour depends on the surface used. For best results, you may need to apply oil varnish.
You can thin the gold paste with white spirit if needed. The Goldfinger leaves no visible metallic particles or smears.
It delivers a professional finish, making it ideal for restoration and gilding. Also suitable for mixed media applications.

Enhance your projects with Gedeo Silver Gilding Wax. It contains metallic particles in a durable wax binder for lasting results. Use it on wood, plaster, cardboard, glass, and metal to achieve attractive metallic effects. It is available in six vibrant colours, each in a convenient 30ml container.

Available colours include Silver, Antique Gold, Empire Gold, King Gold, Renaissance Gold, and Copper.