Letter 30634

Having Trouble with Gold Leafing of Palace Ceilings  

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I am presently Gilding Ceilings in a Palace in the United Arab Emirates - using Dutch Gold, although I am inside the outside temperature is very Hot and with High Humidity. I am however experiencing high levels of Oxidisation of the Dutch Gold leaf. Any clues as to cause?

Chris Holmes
Interior Decoration - Abu Dhabi, U A E

I believe that "Dutch Gold" is a simple brass (76 percent copper 24 percent zinc). It has nothing to do with the metallic element gold. As such, it will corrode the same way as any other brass, given warmth and moisture and air.

Bill Reynolds    consultant metallurgist Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Dutch gold is not a gold , it is a copper alloy and it will corrode and tarnish. You may need to cover it with a clear coat or to use a low karat real gold.

Good luck

Cair Shishani
aircraft maintenance - Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dutch Gold is a high Copper-content brass, beaten into a thin sheet. It is not surprising you are seeing corrosion in that atmosphere. Brass fittings need either constant polishing or a protective clear finish such as lacquer.

Tom Gallant
- Long Beach, CA, USA

The best to avoid this expensive problem is not to use imitation gold in this type of projects.
Imitation colour 2 1/2 is an alloy with 85 % copper and 15 % zinc. = beaten bronze
If you heat this material with a lighter it will tarnish. This material is sensitive to temperatures, UV light, humidity.

During the manufacturing beating process (heat), imitation gold starts to oxidise and also if you protect with varnish after finishing your gilding work you can't stop the slow and progressive oxidation.

Humid surfaces, fresh varnish coats, and also working this material without gloves will cause severe problems.

To avoid this problems the use of Genuine Gold Leaf with a
23 / 23,5 or 23,75 carats content will give you a perfect finish with a very glossy or matt shine if you prefer.

How long genuine gold leaf can last ?
The oldest genuine gold leaf gilded surfaces known to me are at the the Egyptian museum in Cairo and dates back 5.000 years.

Christian Scheuring
Gold Leaf Manufacturer - Schwabach, Germany

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