In gilding figured oak with gold leaf, having planed up the surface of the wood, well glasspaper it if a smooth finish is desired: for a rough finish, glasspapering is not necessary. Evenly apply with a camel-hair brush two or three coats of spirit varnish or brush polish to prevent suction. When the varnish is dry, the gold size should be evenly applied. If required to dry very quickly, say in half an hour or less, iapanners' gold size may be used. But the better plan is to coat with oil gold size one day and apply the gold leaf the next. The oil gold size can be bought ready prepared. Or the two kinds of size may be mixed in varying proportions according to the time allowed for it to acquire its proper tack. The use of gold leaf on transfer paper is advised, as it is easier to handle and avoids waste. When the gold size has acquired its proper tack it should have a nearly dry pulling feeling on pressing the finger knuckle against it. In applying the gold leaf, press well down with the ball of the thumb or soft, clean, chamois leather. If the tack is right the paper will lift, leaving the gold with a bright surface.

Take up each leaf of paper as the gold is pressed home, and allow the next to overlap at least k in.