Gold lettering on headstone faded....how to redo?

Jummy

Hi!
My dads headstone which has only been up 3.5 yrs already has some of the gold leaf fading on one of the letters of his name.
Is this easy to redo or do i get a professional in to do it?
I've been told to get a gold marker pen from HobbyCraft but not sure if thats the best way to do it.
Also should the lettering last longer than 3.5 yrs....seems a short amount of time to me?
Thanks

babymoo

Not sure how long it should last but that does seem a very short length of time. My nanna's has been up for 11 years and still looks brand new. I would be complaining to wherever you got it from personally.

Did you receive anything with the headstone, for example literature on keeping it clean or any T&C's? Check those to see what it says?

Bufger

We use gold paint on my grandads headstone every few years. We give it a good cleanup every few months but make it look like new when its faded.

I wouldnt waste money getting it done professionally. Its outdoors so no matter how much you spend the weather will give the same result

Gigglepig

Perhaps speak to the firm that supplied the original engraving on the stone, and say that you are disappointed? They may fix it for you or at least provide a good quote.

If they don't want to fix it, I guess you can either get a quote to have it done professionally, or do it yourself. Personally I wouldn't consider marker pen ... but you can buy jars of proper gold leaf paint, or possibly high quality gold paint aimed at outdoors use.

If you get a quote you could also ask how the professionals would fix it.

Jummy

Thanks for replying....
My dear mum has all the paperwork for the headstone...it wasnt cheap at £2500 so I'll read the paperwork and see if lettering is covered by any T&C's.

pattycake

My mum passed away a little under three years ago. She was buried in the same grave as her mother. The lettering for my nan has been there since she died in the 1970s and still looks OK. We had my mum's name and dates added and that looks fresh as a daisy.

When my dad's time comes (hopefully, not for a long time) we will have the lettering redone when he is added.

The cemetery is in a very exposed spot as it it situated high above our town so the gravestone has certainly had plenty of weathering.

What I am saying is that after only three years the lettering should be fine. Go back to your stonemason and ask him to go and look at it and see what he advises.

NickyBat

I'd say go back to the stonemason, my grandparents grave has been there for 50 years now and the headstone and lettering look brand new.

Ranger8

NickyBat wrote: »

I'd say go back to the stonemason, my grandparents grave has been there for 50 years now and the headstone and lettering look brand new.

I agree the gold lettering definately should not have faded already, complain to the stonemason/undertaker responsible telling them its a bad avertisement for their workmanship.