Gilding Care and Cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

Care instructions for Painted and Gilded glass lettering

‘SPECIALIST PRODUCTS = SPECIALIST CARE’

• NGS completely ban the use of domestic cleaners for all Gilded signs
• NO RUBBER BLADES.

WHILE ALL PAINT MATERIALS USED ARE TOUGH COATING AND DURABLE, THE INITIAL OIL BASED PAINT CURING PERIOD PRESENTS CHALLENGES ESPECIALLY DURING COLD SEASON.

We recommend the following cleaning procedure:

CARE OF NEWLY GILDED SURFACES

• After sign is completed it will be left fully cleaned, so there’s no need to touch it.
• We recommend do not touch for 7-14 days in summer, and 21 days in winter in order to allow complete curing of gold size/glues, outlines and any backing coats.
• Glass gilding and Surface Gilding adhession strengthens over time.

CLEANING TOOLS & MATERIALS

• NGS recommend regular ‘Dusting’ using only use microfiber or ‘feather’ type dusters
• NGS team always clean new glass gilding and surface gilding on leaving site.
• NO cleaning is required immediately after we leave site.

HOW TO CLEAN

• ‘Moist’ cloth clean only with a new microfiber cloth
• Moisten with water and white vinegar mix (10%)
• Gently wipe over and avoid excessive rubbing over any gilded areas
• Do not allow water to drip onto gilding from gutter overflows or excessive cleaning

DO NOT

• Do not use excessive pressure
• Do not use dirty cloths
• Do not over saturate

DO NOT USE

INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL WINDOW CLEANER CHEMICALS, BRUSHES OR RUBBER BLADES

AVOID: MR SHEEN type of producsts and any commercial chemical based cleaners on any part of the gilded letter or surface.

USE: Water with 10% white vinegar mixed to clean glass around new lettering.

Use soft microfiber dust free new cloths.

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We also recommend:

• Additional ‘pencil varnish’ clear coat applied after the gilding process.
• BOOK AN NGS bi-annual maintenance program. 

For any further information please contact us on 07960113799

WINTER/SUMMER INSTALL PAINTING – Glass gilding

Due to cold temp the curing times of outlines and back up coats can be severely delayed. During Summer warm seasons Oil based products are touch dry in 6- 24 hours and normally fully cure in 5-14 days. However in temperatures below 6 degrees the process is far more vulnerable.

NGS LEAVING FINISHED SITE WORKS

We always talk to clients and give them links to help understand the winter season challenges and gold care practices. Glass and panels are cleaned before we leave site in order for client to not be required to attend any cleaning for a safe period of 3 weeks.

WINTER TOUCH DRY TIMES – 72 hours

WINTER FULL CURE TIMES

2-3 weeks (However we do not recommend touching or cleaning inside this time scale).