Hi there! I have been struggling with applying gold leaf to reticulated Sterlium Silver. I have had some pieces work, with difficulty most of the time.
I have prepared the reticulated pieces by depletion guilding them many, many times, likely more than 10, starting with six rounds and found it not enough. I heat and scrub with a clean brass brush under water then end the series of heating with no scrubbing.
The way I learned this process, I use distilled water that the gold has been dipped in and then lightly heat, press and burnish. I find the gold often does not adhere fully, partially does then lifts off and gold becomes overworked.
Does reticulated silver take way longer to depletion guild than regular silver. I feel it should due to that amount of heating? It seems like a lot of work and I am getting random results.
I have tried changing many of the factors, such as buying a thicker gold sheet, starting with fresh pickle and clean tools. I have also tried avoiding the deep recesses and applying to slightly textured areas, usually with no adhesion.
I feel I am getting the amount of heat wrong, (have use torch and hotplate) the burnishing, too much water, or no water or the guilding. Or maybe all of the above
Any advice on prepping the reticulated metal would be most appreciated. I have read the feeds on attaching the gold on reticulated surfaces try to methodical while applying.
I am guessing it does not work to reticulate fine silver…
Thanks, Nicolina