Help with copper leaf.

Bighamps

Hello everybody.

I’m  about to embark on a bedroom makeover and will be copper leafing my varnished pine bed.

My questions are:
Should I sand the bed prior to applying the leaf?
Is it a good idea to varnish, or seal it in another way to stop it rubbing off?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

theoretica

Maybe - it depends on how you are leafing and the current finish on the bed, you might need to sand and then reseal the wood - and definitely yes.  Especially if you are using genuine copper it will tarnish and darken if not protected.

Bighamps

Thanks fo rather info. 

Bighamps

Is it best to try and butt the sheets, or go more random?

theoretica

Lining the sheets up, with a tiny overlap which won't stick and brushes off, is usually the best use of materials - matters more when using real gold than copper/fake.