Metal leafing on glass inside the framing package?

[Mikki Kavich MCPF]

I just got back from taking a class on metal (or gold) leafing on glass and the leaf needs to be sealed and on the inside of the framing package.
I wonder if there are possible problems with this technique when used inside the framing package. Could there be reactions from this? I am not a chemist and don't feel I have the knowledge to figure this one out.

If it is sealed with an acrylic sealer and never direct contact would this be appropriate in preservation framing? I have seen and used leafed bevels and lines but I am wondering if there are items that this could be bad for like a photo printed on metal.

 

[Jerry Feig CPF]

Are you using metal leaf or real gold?

Real gold does not have to be sealed. If the gold is subject to cleaning as in a store display window it has to be protected from the abrasion of washing the glass.

Metal leaf has to be sealed to reduce tarnishing.

 

[Russ Wood]

I don't know about the glass, but if I'm using gold on bevels or lines I don't coat them because the gold won't tarnish

If I'm using metal leaf on bevels, I coat it with an acrylic sealer - either mat or gloss - mostly gloss, depending on the effect I want from the bevel. In fact I just did one of a rabbit with a variegated metal leaf, right before Easter and used Golden acrylic gloss medium as the sealer.

I don't do metal leaf lines inside the package, because I don't know how I would seal it. I do use some of the Windsor & Newton Gold and Silver inks, if I'm not using real gold leaf.