Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Gilders Paste... And Its Variety Of Uses



If you are someone that is interested in coloring metals with patinas you may have discovered the additional hazardous shipping charges for chemicals like JAX can be as expensive as the solution it self. I recently paid more just for shipping than for the product.

Happily there are some other options I would like to share with you that have a very nice result. There is a product called Gilders Paste. I have found an Etsy seller who sells 28 different colors! http://www.etsy.com/listing/72156124/gilders-paste-15-oz-tin-available-in-28?ga_ This product can be used on polymer clay, metal, wood and other materials. It has a consistency of shoe polish but it can be thinned with mineral spirits (called white spirits in some countries). You can thin it to a wash if you like. Or use it straight out of the tin.

This product could also be useful in all the popular aging techniques. The metallic colors can be buffed to have a soft shine on so many surfaces. I can think of hundreds of uses for it in 1: 12 scale. The paste comes with a one page brochure with good photos of how it has been used.

I do not plan to use this on sterling silver but I will use it a lot for miniature work in the future. I really like this product. Today I used it on a raw brass finding to bring out the details for a small mirror I needed. First the brass was polished then a wash of black applied and wiped off. In a few days the golden color of the brass will return with a little oxidation. I think it is a good idea to seal your finished piece. I sprayed mine.

Don't forget to click on the photo. ;-)

16 comments:

  1. Wonderful tip, Catherine...thank you so much! I have been using mica-like powders on polymer clay and recently on painted wood. They need something to make them "stick" (except on raw clay) so this a product I would be interested in trying.

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  2. Catherine, you are our treasure! The little mirror looks wonderful.
    Head to Etsy and shop now! Have a great evening.
    Peiwen xxx

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  3. Susan... Let me know how you like it. I think using it on baked polymer clay is going to be fantastic.

    Peiwen... Have a great time with your family!
    XXX I hope you will also let me know how you like it and use it.

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  4. Ooohh... I like the looks of this stuff! Thanks for sharing! Is this similar to Rub-n-Buff?

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  5. Carol... I have never used Rub-n Buff. I think it could be used in the same way though.

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  6. Thank you for this great tip! So helpful! :-)

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  7. It's amazing how it brought out the detail in the finding. Very cool!

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  8. your mirror is beautiful! thanks for the suggestion!
    I read in your previous post that you love books ... come see my blog if you also like my mini books? :))
    take care of yourself!
    Caterina

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  9. This looks like a great product Catherine....although I know you can weave your magic upon any item with anything. The little mirror looks fabulous!!

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  10. What a great product, your mirror looks great with it!
    Thank you for sharing,
    * marlies

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  11. Excellent suggestion. I already put one of my favorites, for future reference :-)
    Mini hugs, Flora

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  12. Thank you so much Catherine for sharing this precious tip !
    The mirror looks just perfect with this patina.

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  13. Thank you for sharing. The mirror look great.
    Mona

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  14. Thank you for sharing it Catherine:)

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  15. Your mirror looks wonderful, Catherine!
    Such a great result, thank you for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Karin

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