Kölner Permacoll Size System

Kölner Permacoll Size is a permanent acrylic-based adhesive for indoor use only. It has more adhesive power than Instacoll and is, therefore, particularly suitable for gilding with imitation gold or silver leaf (composition metal leaf). This high-quality adhesive shines with all imitation gold or silver leaf. With the red Kölner Permacoll Size, poliment (bole) gilding can also be easily imitated. It is also suitable for matt gilding with genuine gold leaf.

Kölner Permacoll Size offers far more flexibility than oil sizes with their long drying times and short working times.

Kölner Permacoll Size dries within 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the thickness and remaining porosity of the surface.

Metal leaf can be applied hours or even days later.

Kölner Permacoll Size is designed to attain decorative metallic surfaces that are not exposed to the weather or excessive wear. Kölner Permacoll Size is not burnishable.

Kölner Permacoll Size is recommended as an adhesive for metal leaf on all types of non-porous surfaces, smooth or textured. Its uses include preparing frames, decorating sets for theater, film, and window displays, and making architectural ornaments.

Porous surfaces such as plaster, stucco, wood, and wood composites should

• first be impregnated with Kolner Sealer 123-A, thinned 1:0.5 or 1:1 with water or Kölner Sealer P.
• After the sealer is dry, apply unthinned Kölner Permacoll Size with a soft brush.

Non-porous or slightly porous surfaces that are dust and grease-free, such as painted or lacquered wood or plastics, can be covered immediately with Kölner Permacoll Size.  Should Permacoll tend to bead up, as may occur on some plastics, a drop of liquid detergent added to the size will generally alleviate the problem.

After the surface has dried—recognizable by a uniform sheen and saturated (darkened) appearance of the substrate—any type of metal leaf can be applied. Areas that appear mat or dull after drying should receive a second coat of Permacoll—Size before proceeding.

Once the metal leaf has been applied in the usual way, the surface should be rubbed lightly with cotton (be careful with genuine gold leaf !).

Craquelure Effects with Kölner Permacoll Size

Apply Kölner Permacoll Size with a soft brush that is not too thin in one direction.
After drying apply patent gold leaf or silver leaf and rub the surface with a  cotton ball in one direction.
Brush on a 50% solution of yellow dextrin in water over the gilded surface. If needed, add a drop of liquid detergent to the dextrin solution to prevent beading up.
The dextrin layer will start to crack upon drying. The widths of crack depend on the thickness of the layer and speed of drying. Accelerated drying and/or thicker layer makes wider cracks. Cracks cover the gilded surface  underneath.
Dextrin may be washed away but generally does not to be washed. One may force the cracking lines with rubbing an oil paint in a contrast colour.
It is possible to protect the whole piece with transparent acrylic coating (not water-based as long as dextrine layer underneath).