Kölner Poliment Information & Instructions
USAGE OVERVIEW: Poliment is also known as bole, it is a clay-like substance. It is applied to a base prepared surface that is normally gesso. The combination of a gesso base and Poliment enhances the tone and luster of the gold during the polishing/burnishing process. Kolner Poliment has already been processed with water to make it a paste. An adhesive must be added to the Poliment, rabbit skin glue is the preferred adhesive.
PREPARATION: The first step on preparing the Poliment is to create the adhesive and add it to the Poliment paste. Rabbit skin glue is the favored and most used adhesive. Warm the rabbit skin glue until the glue is completely dissolved and slowly add it to the Poliment Paste until you achieve a consistent, runny and smooth mixture, about the consistency of latex paint.
INFORMATION ON APPLYING GESSO: After the gesso has been applied to the gilding surface, and sanded smooth, the Poliment can be applied. Each coat of the gesso should be allowed to completely dry, and best to sand smooth after each coat. Usually 4-6 coats of gesso are applied, but the number can vary depending on how thin the coats are.
APPLYING THE POLIMENT TO THE GESSO BASE: Before you apply the Poliment glue mixture to the gesso base, it is important that any impurities or lumps be removed from the mixture. Brush on the Poliment mixture to the gesso. Two coats minimum, but no more than 4 coats total. Before you add a new coat, make sure that the previous coat is completely dry.
After the final coat of Poliment, polish the surface with a steel wool pad or a fiber cloth like the Kolner Tissue. After applying the Poliment to the gesso, the smoother the surface for gilding, the brighter the gold will be.
WETTING SOLUTION: Before gilding, prepare a wetting solution made with rabbit skin glue and distilled water.
Add 2 teaspoons rabbit skin glue added to four fluid ounces distilled water. Mix and allow to thicken. Heat gently in a double boiler until fully dissolved. DO NOT BOIL.
Keep the warm wetting solution in a small covered pot while applying to avoid forming a skin.
APPYING GOLD LEAF: Using a soft brush, lightly brush the wetting solution on to the surface that will be gilded. Then, using a gilders tip, place the gold on the moistened surface where the gold leaf it will appear to be sucked onto the Poliment surface. Allow the gold leaf to dry for at least 5 hours before you burnish it.
BURNISHING GOLD LEAF: After the gold leaf has thoroughly dried, the gold is burnished using an agate burnisher. Using light pressure, slowly rub the surface with the agate burnisher to achieve a highly polished surface. Use a use a gilders mop to brush away any excess gold flakes on the surface.
NOTE: If you wish to tone down the brightness of the entire project or just part of your project, you can use the Kolner Patina to achieve special effects such as antiquing.
STORAGE: Unmixed Poliment is not perishable, but it may dry with time. Water can be added to re-hydrate the clay. Poliment that has been mixed with rabbit skin glue is perishable and will spoil. When stored in a refrigerator, it can remain usable for up to few weeks, depending on conditions. It should to be warmed and stirred before use.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: Poliment is available in a number of different colors, each which will affect the tone of the gold leaf differently. You may want to experiment with the different colors to determine which gold leaf tone is best for your project. The different colors can also be mixed together to create custom colors.
Poliment is a Water Based material, and can be shipped by US Mail.
SAFETY: Poliment is non-toxic and non-flammable, but consuming it is not recommended. A dust mask should be worn during sanding to avoid inhaling the dust.
DISCLAIMER: The conditions, methods of handling and use of this product are beyond our control and may be beyond our knowledge. For this reason, we do not assume responsibility and expressly disclaim liability for loss, damage or expenses arising out of or in any way connected to the handling, storage, use or disposal of this product.