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. 
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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. 
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.
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.
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. 
Here is the mirror after a good cleaning. Never apply paint over a dirty surface. YUCK 
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
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).
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).
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. 
Make sure that you spray the mirror frame on both the top area and the sides. Apply at least one coat of primer to your project.
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Painting an Ornate Mirror Before Applying Liquid Gold Paint
Next, you want to first paint your mirror with a base paint color. You can find great quality chalk-based paints online HERE. An added bonus, when painting furniture, you want to make sure to use a quality non-toxic furniture chalk paint. Dixie Belle carries a variety of top-rated paints in different colors and finishes for all of your different projects. 
After applying two coats of paint in an off-white base color I want to give the finish a subtle metallic gold glaze over the entire surface of the mirror. This will add a metallic sheen in a light gold color.
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 soft gold glaze. 
You can see the subtle metallic gold glaze here. For best results, you only need to apply a thin coat.
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.
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.
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). Of course, there are different types of gold paint that you could choose for your small projects. I find this to be one of the best metallic paint brands out there. It has really good coverage, a quick-drying formula, and is the perfect choice for adding yellow gold finishes to projects without showing brush strokes.
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 surfaces, like on these DIY gold leaf coasters. But for now, this pretty mirror is heading home.
This metallic gold paint gives you the perfect combination of a shiny finish with an antique look. Whether this is your first time or your hundredth time tackling a project, this metallic gold paint is a favorite among many DIY enthusiasts.
I had a little helper in photographing this gold leaf painted mirror. I suppose she is perfect to show how large the mirror is 🙂
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible to do the inside of a huge bookcase, and does it pop as much as a faux leaf?
- answer: the short answer would be yes. But for the cost of the paint, and the amount of paint needed for a larger project I am not sure it would be worth it. This paint seems to be better for smaller projects like hardware and highlighting gold accents. To do a large area could become pricy.
- What type of projects is this gold paint best used for:
- answer: This paint works beautifully on a variety of surfaces and for small home improvement projects like picture frames, mirror frames, the metal surface of light fixtures, and hardware on a piece of furniture.
- Do you have to seal this gold leaf paint with a top coat?
- answer: Of all the times I have used this paint I never add a top coat/clear coat. It does provide great durability in itself and I personally fear that adding a top coat may dull the metallic finish.
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 
If you adore projects using metallic paint then make sure to check out some of these great makeovers.
Because adding metallic paint to your furniture makeover is always a great idea! Here are 10 more DIY projects using metallic paint. This metallic painted table is stunning with its silver paint finish. Modern Masters metallic paint is perfect for painting metallic furniture. This gorgeous painted table is sporting dark silver metallic glaze as well as a floral furniture transfer This painted dresser is given an added metallic bronze glaze and it looks fabulous... like a bronze penny. See how this painted table is finished with a custom mixed dark silver metallic paint. A vintage ornate mirror is transformed from old gold to metallic pewter. This adorable DIY coaster project shows you how to decoupage your own coasters with added liquid gold paint on the edges. Furniture hardware both young and old look great with a little updating. See how to update hardware with gold paint. Wall decor can be transformed easily using metallic gold paint. For more metallic paint projects, here are both painted furniture ideas as well as smaller DIY projects using metallic paint. Painted Furniture Ideas & DIY Projects using Metallic Paint
How to Paint Furniture with the Best Silver Metallic Paint
How to Paint Furniture with Modern Masters Metallic Paint
How to Refinish a Table with Metallic Paint and Fabulous Florals
How to Add Bronze Metallic Glaze to Painted Furniture
How to Paint Glamorous Furniture with Metallic Paint
Elegant Ornate Mirror Makeover from Gold to Pewter
How to Make the Best DIY Coasters with Gold Leaf
How to Update Your Hardware with the Best Gold Paint
How to Update Your Decor with the Best Metallic Gold Paint
10+ of the Best DIY Projects Using Metallic Paint
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Janie Hayes says
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
kandice kullmann says
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/
Marian says
I love everything you show.
Marky says
Is it possible to do the inside of a huge bookcase, and does it pop as much as faux leaf?
kandice kullmann says
Im sure you could but for the cost of the paint I am not sure it would be worth it. This paint seems to be better for smaller projects like hardware and highlighting. To do a large area could become pricy
Claudine says
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
Patrick Duclou says
Hello, how do you clean the brushes you have used? Which thinner to use after a while when the gold paint gets thicker?
Thanks
kandice kullmann says
to be honest, Im quite bad about it and I use crappy cheap brushes and consider them trash afterward.
Salima M says
Can I use the liquid gold to the metal handles of the the dressers ?
kandice kullmann says
sure! I have 🙂
Mp says
Do you have to seal this gold leaf paint?
kandice kullmann says
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.
MrsSW says
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
Richard Toman says
CAN LIQUID GOLD LEAF BE USED FOR LETTERING ON AN EXTERIOR SIGN?
kandice kullmann says
I emailed you back 😉
Mary Webster says
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!!
kandice kullmann says
Im not sure, but my guess would be yes