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Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec

Post Number: 408
Registered: 05-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 12:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Does anyone have any insight to applying silver leaf over travertine wall for lettering for a sign - I've never heard of this, but a client has asked for a spec on it - any recommendations would be appreciated.
Dave Metzger
Senior Member
Username: davemetzger

Post Number: 211
Registered: 07-2001
Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 02:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Jerome:

We have specified gold leaf for interior stone. Silver leaf can tarnish, and needs a topcoat. However, a potential problem with travertine is that it is so fissured (which is part of the atractiveness of the stone), that is could be difficult to get a uniform substrate for the metal leaf.

Another option we have used, especially for exterior stone, is a "monumental paint" (so-called because it is used for lettering in monuments) such as Saw Sheen by Lithichrome. It is not actually a paint, but a product that changes the reflectivity of the stone. Google "Saw Sheen" and you can get to the Lithichrome website.
David Stutzman
Senior Member
Username: david_stutzman

Post Number: 50
Registered: 07-2002
Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 10:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Silver leaf will tarnish without even touching it, before it is installed. I had this discussion with an installer and he will not even buy silver leaf because he cannot keep it from tarnishing.

Try aluminum leaf instead for almost identical look and no tarnishing.
Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin

Post Number: 190
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008 - 12:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Is anyone aware of a topcoat that can go over silver leaf to avoid tarnishing? I have an interior designer insisting on silver leaf?

Anyone have a sample spec they applying silver leaf over gypsum ceilings?
Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED™ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 761
Registered: 07-2002
Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008 - 12:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Another possibility is LuminOre.
Marc C Chavez
Senior Member
Username: mchavez

Post Number: 300
Registered: 07-2002
Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008 - 12:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Might want to try aluminum leaf as it does not tarnish but it does oxidize.

Either way the clear coat must be (obviously) non-yellowing - pH neutral and then test test test
In the art world "mineral sprit acrylic" MSA available from "Golden Acrylic" is "the thing" but it is not a LEED type product.
and the gyp must be sized prior to application AND I'm told by David at Danial Smith that if you screw up you often have to go allllll the way dowm to the gyp and start over again.

http://www.goldenpaints.com/index.php
Tim Werbstein (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 11:19 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Palladium leaf looks like silver but doesn't tarnish.

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