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Just the Woods, LLC | a Colorful Home & Healthy Lifestyle Blog

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Need Gold Paint? This is the Best Liquid Gold Leaf Ever

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Do you love the elegant touch of gold paint? Have you ever tried liquid gold leaf? If you haven’t then you are in for a treat! Have you wondered what is liquid gold leaf? Well, it’s a one-step, metallic gold paint that adds a romantic elegant touch to your DIY project. This metallic luster finish can be added to your small DIY projects or to your larger painted furniture makeovers. best liquid gold leaf, gold paint, metallic gold paint, liquid gold, gold leaf

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Click here for my full disclosure policy. 

How to Apply Liquid Gold Leaf to Painted Furniture

Materials Needed / Source List

  • Cling On Paint Brush 
  • Liquid Leaf (Im using this one: GOLD)
  • Scrub brush for cleaning
  • Brown Packing Paper (to cover the mirror)
  • Lint Free Cloth
  • Painters Tape
  • Primer (I’m using this one: Bin Primer)
  • Shop-Vac (clean up your mess)
  • Find all of my favorite tools and products on my Amazon Page here

Unfinished Large Ornate Mirror

This oversized ornate vintage mirror is part of a set. It arrived in the shop along with a tall dresser for a makeover. Initially, the mirror makeover was going to match the dresser but a last minute decision took things in a different direction. You know how that goes. You can find the tall dresser makeover in distressed white here: White Distressed Painted Dresser. Normally I would prop a large mirror up on my sawhorse to work on, but I recently bought this handy cart and it works as well. A plus to the cart is that it’s on wheels, so I’m able to move the mirror to work on it as needed. The sawhorse doesn’t allow the kind of mobility. large ornate mirror, liquid gold leaf painted mirror, metallic gold paint

If you take a closer look you will see how dirty this mirror is. We certainly can’t apply the liquid gold leaf paint or any kind of paint over this dirt.

dirty old furniture, vintage mirror

Cleaning an Ornate Vintage Mirror for Gold Leaf Painting

The mirror must be thoroughly cleaned and prepped. This is how I normally Clean and Prep Painted Furniture. But this mirror needs a bit more.

dirty mirror frame, vintage mirror, dirty furniture

In addition to my standard cleaning process, I also decided to use a scrub brush to get into the crevices and detail areas of the mirror. clean vintage furniture, scrub brush to clean furniture

Here is the mirror after a good cleaning. Never apply paint over a dirty surface. YUCK cleaned ornate mirror, vintage mirror

Protecting the Mirror from Paint

The next step to painting this mirror frame is to cover and protect the mirror itself. First I place index cards in between the frame and the mirror along the perimeter. This may not always be possible, so you can always check out different methods for painting a mirror frame here: How to Paint a Mirror Frame

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Tape down the cards to prevent movement and then cover the remainder of the mirror with brown paper. I keep a large roll in my shop for projects like this. If you are looking for this brown paper, you can find it (HERE).cover mirror with paper, large ornate mirror, vintage ornate mirror

 Preparing a Mirror for Gold Leaf Paint

Next, grab your primer. Considering the condition of the mirror before the cleaning, I’ve decided to prime this before painting as an added precaution. I don’t always use primer when painting furniture, but often do use it when painting something white. You can find more projects where primer is used here: Primer. Due to the ornate details of the mirror, spray primer is the best choice. This is the primer that I’m using (here).

spray primer, bin primer, shellac based primer, primer before paint

Since the mirror is elevated on the cart, I’m using a random piece of wood to keep the spray primer from going everywhere. This is my attempt to contain the mess. spray primer, primer on vintage mirror, liquid gold leaf paint, gold paint, gold leaf

Make sure that you spray the mirror frame on both the top area and the sides. primer for furniture, spray primer, painting ornate mirror

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Painting an Ornate Mirror Before Applying Liquid Gold Paint

Next, you want to paint your mirror with a base paint color. You can find great quality furniture paint online HERE. An added bonus, when painting furniture, you want to make sure to use a quality non-toxic furniture paint. dixie belle, dixie belle paint, chalk paint, chalk mineral paint, order paint, order dixie belle

After applying an off white base color I want to give the finish a subtle metallic gold glaze over the entire surface of the mirror.gold metallic paint, metallic gold furniture paint, gold paint, metallic gold paint for wood

I like to scoop my paint into a separate cup, then apply with a brush over the entire surface of the mirror for a subtle gold glaze. gold paint, metallic paint, metallic gold paint, light gold paint, gold furniture paint


You can see the subtle metallic gold glaze here. metallic gold paint, liquid gold leaf, gold gilding paint, gold leaf painting

How to Apply Gold Leaf

Now on to the fun part! Gold leaf painting! Our mirror has been cleaned, primed, painted and glazed. Now we can apply the liquid gold leaf paint. The raised details on the mirror will be receiving a glamorous metallic gold paint finish to highlight those areas. This liquid gold leaf is amazing. It’s a one-step liquid leaf paint with amazing coverage.liquid leaf, liquid gold paint, gold leaf paint, gold leaf paint for wood

If you have never used liquid gold leaf before and are unsure as to how to apply gold leaf this should come as a pleasant surprise. It’s super easy! Use a small artist brush to apply the liquid leaf paint. Of all the small brushes that I use, cosmetic brushes are my favorite: HERE.

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Here is a quick video to see how to use gold leaf paint and how nicely the liquid gold leaf paint looks as it’s applied.

 

I should tell you that I am not affiliated with this product and I am NOT being compensated by the company. I just really love how easy it is to use and how nice it looks. So if you would like to know where to buy gold leaf paint you can find it (HERE). liquid leaf, plaid gold leaf, plaid liquid gold leaf, real gold paint

Ok, ok, I’m done raving about this product. 😛

Ornate Vintage Mirror Painted with Liquid Leaf Paint

You can try using gold leaf sheets like on this small accent table, but I can assure you that I won’t be messing with the messy sheets of gold leaf now that I have discovered this liquid gold leaf paint. The great thing about liquid gold leaf is that you can easily apply it to wood, like on these DIY gold leaf coasters. But for now, this pretty mirror is heading home.

gold leaf painting, liquid gold leaf, liquid leaf, liquid gold paint,

how to paint mirror, chalk paint mirror frame

metallic gold paint, gold paint for wood, liquid gold leaf, real gold paint, best gold leaf, easy gold leaf

I had a little helper in photographing this gold leaf painted mirror. I suppose she is perfect to show how large the mirror is 🙂

Click here to Pin this post for later.

layla in front of mirror, gold leaf painted mirror, liquid gold leaf on painted mirror

Make sure to check out all of the tips & secrets that I wish someone told me when I started painting furniture here: Painting Furniture Secrets  painting furniture, tips, hacks, painted furniture, how to paint furniture, secrets furniture painting

If you adore projects using metallic paint then make sure to check out some of these great makeovers.

Painted Furniture Ideas & DIY Projects using Metallic Paint

Because adding metallic paint to your furniture makeover is always a great idea! Here are 10 more DIY projects using metallic paint.

1

How to Paint Furniture with the Best Silver Metallic Paint

This metallic painted table is stunning with its silver paint finish.

2

How to Paint Furniture with Modern Masters Metallic Paint

Modern Masters metallic paint is perfect for painting metallic furniture.

3

How to Refinish a Table with Metallic Paint and Fabulous Florals

This gorgeous painted table is sporting dark silver metallic glaze as well as a floral furniture transfer

4

How to Add Bronze Metallic Glaze to Painted Furniture

This painted dresser is given an added metallic bronze glaze and it looks fabulous... like a bronze penny.

5

How to Paint Glamorous Furniture with Metallic Paint

See how this painted table is finished with a custom mixed dark silver metallic paint.

6

Elegant Ornate Mirror Makeover from Gold to Pewter

A vintage ornate mirror is transformed from old gold to metallic pewter.

7

How to Make the Best DIY Coasters with Gold Leaf

This adorable DIY coaster project shows you how to decoupage your own coasters with added liquid gold paint on the edges.

8

How to Update Your Hardware with the Best Gold Paint

Furniture hardware both young and old look great with a little updating. See how to update hardware with gold paint.

9

How to Update Your Decor with the Best Metallic Gold Paint

Wall decor can be transformed easily using metallic gold paint.

10

10+ of the Best DIY Projects Using Metallic Paint

For more metallic paint projects, here are both painted furniture ideas as well as smaller DIY projects using metallic paint.

painted furniture, how to paint furniture, painted furniture tutorials, painted furniture blog, painting furniture, painted furniture before and after, painted furniture makeovers

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Looking for the best liquid gold leaf? Look no more. This liquid leaf is easy to use and creates a gold metallic luster to your project for an elegant touch. See how to apply gold leaf with a short video and find where to buy gold leaf paint. | liquid gold paint | gold leaf paint | liquid leaf | liquid gold leaf paint | painted furniture | painted mirror | ornate mirror | gold mirror | gold leaf painted mirror

Looking for the best liquid gold leaf? Look no more. This liquid leaf is easy to use and creates a gold metallic luster to your project for an elegant touch. See how to apply gold leaf with a short video and find where to buy gold leaf paint. | liquid gold paint | gold leaf paint | liquid leaf | liquid gold leaf paint | painted furniture | painted mirror | ornate mirror | gold mirror | gold leaf painted mirror

Looking for the best liquid gold leaf? Look no more. This liquid leaf is easy to use and creates a gold metallic luster to your project for an elegant touch. See how to apply gold leaf with a short video and find where to buy gold leaf paint. | liquid gold paint | gold leaf paint | liquid leaf | liquid gold leaf paint | painted furniture | painted mirror | ornate mirror | gold mirror | gold leaf painted mirror

 

More from my site

  • How to Add Bronze Metallic Glaze to Painted FurnitureHow to Add Bronze Metallic Glaze to Painted Furniture
  • Elegant Ornate Mirror Makeover from Gold to PewterElegant Ornate Mirror Makeover from Gold to Pewter
  • Nesting Tables Makeover with Unique Watercolor LookNesting Tables Makeover with Unique Watercolor Look
  • The Ultimate Guide for Stunning Painted Furniture IdeasThe Ultimate Guide for Stunning Painted Furniture Ideas
  • How to Paint Metal Radiator Covers for a Fresh New LookHow to Paint Metal Radiator Covers for a Fresh New Look
  • How to Paint Furniture with Modern Masters Metallic PaintHow to Paint Furniture with Modern Masters Metallic Paint

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Comments

  1. Janie Hayes says

    February 1, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    Kandace, the mirror is beautiful. I’ve done a lot of gold leaf with the sheets and they are messy! I’ve always understood that it must be sealed. I noticed you list a protective sealer in your supply list but you did not mention a sealer in the tutorial. Did you apply a sealer, if so could you do a video of that procedure at some time?

    Thank you
    Janie

    Reply
    • kandice kullmann says

      February 2, 2018 at 7:17 am

      hey Janie. This liquid gold leaf is an all in one. No need for an additional sealer. I did try rubbing it when done and that stuff was not coming off lol. But I do have a video with applying clear sealer in this post: https://www.justthewoods.com/repainting-painted-furniture/

      Reply
  2. Marian says

    February 8, 2018 at 7:25 am

    I love everything you show.

    Reply
  3. Claudine says

    July 27, 2018 at 7:52 am

    It looks stunning. I am ready to tackle my parents very old ornate mirror bc I didn’t have any idea how????. Thank you But I have one question . Is is real gold leaf or a paint like gold leaf??? Where do I buy REAL GOLD LEAF to use on my mirror ? I want to restore the real gold leaf on it . Thanks

    Reply
  4. Patrick Duclou says

    October 24, 2018 at 3:46 am

    Hello, how do you clean the brushes you have used? Which thinner to use after a while when the gold paint gets thicker?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • kandice kullmann says

      October 24, 2018 at 3:57 pm

      to be honest, Im quite bad about it and I use crappy cheap brushes and consider them trash afterward.

      Reply
  5. Salima M says

    May 5, 2020 at 12:05 am

    Can I use the liquid gold to the metal handles of the the dressers ?

    Reply
    • kandice kullmann says

      May 19, 2020 at 3:25 pm

      sure! I have 🙂

      Reply
  6. Mp says

    June 12, 2020 at 8:29 am

    Do you have to seal this gold leaf paint?

    Reply
    • kandice kullmann says

      June 12, 2020 at 10:07 am

      I have added a topcoat and I have also NOT added a top coat over this .. I think you could honesty go either way depending on how much traffic the piece will be getting. Ive used it on hardware knobs with no topcoat with no problems.

      Reply
  7. MrsSW says

    June 29, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    Very handsome and inspiring. Guess I’ll start on the mirror that has been leaning against the wall for several years. 😉
    Apparently some of your links are not working for me – a setting probably – would you tell me, please, what metallic gold glaze you used before applying the liquid leaf?
    Also, how far does the little bottle of liquid leaf go? When you used it for the wall monogram (How to Update Your Decor with the Best Metallic Gold Paint) was one bottle enough? The gold liquid leaf will be perfect for a buffet lamp I need to refinish.
    Thanks,
    Sheila

    Reply
  8. Richard Toman says

    September 9, 2020 at 11:02 am

    CAN LIQUID GOLD LEAF BE USED FOR LETTERING ON AN EXTERIOR SIGN?

    Reply
    • kandice kullmann says

      September 9, 2020 at 11:25 am

      I emailed you back 😉

      Reply
  9. Mary Webster says

    November 7, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    Can you use this liquid gold leaf paint on a canvas and will it give the same look as the sheets of the gold leaf?
    Thank you
    ps That is if one can get it here in South Africa!!

    Reply
    • kandice kullmann says

      November 27, 2020 at 11:57 am

      Im not sure, but my guess would be yes

      Reply

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