How to Use Kölner Instacoll System

KöIner Instacoll was developed in 1990 for interior and exterior gilding projects. Instacoll achieves a high gloss finish without burnishing. Instacoll has been tested and meets the requirements for long-lasting exterior gilding.

KöIner Instacoll is a base and size (adhesive) for high-gloss, weather-resistant exterior, and interior gilding. It can be used on nearly all substrates that have been appropriately prepared using standard methods to create weather-resistant surfaces. Do not use directly on glass outdoors. It is necessary to use or prepare a non-porous surface for indoor gilding. There is no need to burnish the gold leaf with an agate or other stone burnisher as this is not necessary to achieve a high-gloss surface.

KöIner Instacoll gilding system consists of two components:

  • Instacoll Base, available in yellow or clear
  • Instacoll Activator

Instacoll Base (Yellow)

Instacoll Base (Yellow)

Instacoll Base (Clear)

Instacoll Base (Clear)

How to Use KöIner Instacoll System

Instacoll Base

Instacoll Base needs to dry before gilding. The base coat is then activated with Instacoll Activator before applying gold leaf, preferably patent gold (transfer gold leaf). After activating, the Instacoll surface is ready to adhere gold leaf to create a surface with a highly-burnished appearance.

Preparing the Substrate

Some substrates need more preparation than a simple pre-paint with Instacoll to achieve a weather-resistant coating. Porous surfaces, such as wood, stone, plaster, etc., should first be prepared in the following manner:

  • The substrate must be clean and free of oil, grease, dust, and dirt.

  • Prepare the surface with an appropriate primer, then apply two coats of a compatible high gloss finish. These layers must be thoroughly dried. Never apply Instacoll Base directly on powder-coated surfaces,

  • Lightly rub the surface with an ultra-fine pad, such as ScotchBrite.

Applying Instacoll Base

Porous surfaces, such as wood, stone, plaster, etc., should be coated with Instacoll Base diluted with 15% water. After 30 minutes to dry, this initial coat can be covered with a more generous, full-strength application of Instacoll. As mentioned above, some substrates need more preparation than a simple pre-paint with Instacoll to achieve a weather-resistant coating.

Applying by Brush

  • Dilute Instacoll Base with 3% to 5% tap or distilled water. This amounts to a few drops for a 50 ml jar.

  • Apply Instacoll Base with a soft synthetic hair brush in an ambient temperature range of 45 to 75 °F (8 to 25 °C).

  • Apply the Base generously to avoid brush marks.

  • Allow at least one hour, preferably three hours at 75 °F (25 °C) and 50% relative humidity, after applying the Instacoll Base.

  • Apply a second coat to improve the surface quality. The first coat should be completely dry before applying the next.
  • Clean up with warm, soapy water while Instacoll Base is wet.

Applying by Spray

  • Dilute Instacoll Base with up to 10% water.

  • Using a High-Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) spray gun, apply the Base with an aperture of 1.0 to 1.5 mm in an ambient temperature range of 45 to 75;°F (8 to 25 °C).

  • Apply the Base generously to avoid brush marks.

  • Allow at least one hour, preferably three hours at 75 °F (25 °C) and 50% relative humidity, after applying the Instacoll Base.

  • Apply a second coat to improve the surface quality. The first coat should be completely dry before applying the next.
  • Clean up with warm, soapy water while Instacoll Base is wet.

You have about one hour of “open time” to apply the gold leaf without using the Activator. After one hour of “open time,” you must use the Activator. You can activate it repeatedly; one day, one month, or even one year later. Areas that have been previously activated can be activated again.

Instacoll Activator

Instacoll Activator

The Activator should be brushed on thinly and repeatedly. After the activated surface has dried sufficiently, the leaf can be pressed and rubbed onto the surface.

Activating Instacoll

  • Apply Instacoll Activator when the Instacoll Base is completely dry.

  • Apply the Activator with a synthetic hair brush or a lint-free cloth soaked with the Activator.

  • Rub the moistened cloth across the surface of the Instacoll Base, applying a very thin and even film over the area that you can gild within one hour. This film must be thin so that it dries in less than ten minutes. After it dries, you have another 50 to 60 minutes of “open time” to apply the gold leaf.

  • For gilding large surfaces apply the Activator every half hour for continuous gilding.

  • Don’t touch the activated area, as this will decrease adhesion. If the activated area loses tack, reapply the Activator.

Gilding

As soon as the Activator is dry, it’s time to gild. Apply the leaf or piece of gold by pressing it down firmly. Patent leaf works exceptionally well as you can press down on the transfer paper. For loose leaf, press down with a burnishing chamois or a cotton ball onto the gold leaf covered by glassine paper. Use a burnisher wrapped in cotton or chamois to push the leaf into recesses for gilding surfaces with relief.

To continue gilding, always activate the next area in the same manner. Applying Activator onto overlapping areas of just laid leaf enables a seamless gilded surface. Always let the Activator dry before applying the next leaf.

After the entire surface is covered with metal, firmly press down on all leaf overlaps. Afterward, rub the surface with a cotton ball in one direction to improve adhesion and remove excess leaf. In the process, the leaf will become as bright as traditionally burnished gold.


Where to Buy

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