How to Make Your own Gilding Wax
Hi everyone, how are you. This is Andrea from The Cottage Market and I am here today with a quick and easy DIY for you! You are going to find out How To Make Your own Gilding Wax for less than half of what you would pay in the craft store! You can use it on so many different things…from metal to wood. You can use it on small spaces or larger areas. I love it to gild, or age, a decorative frame…there are so many different uses! So let me show you how…it truly is a cinch and you will love the sheen it creates!
Supplies for How to Make Your own Gilding Wax
The supplies you will need are just 2 ingredients: Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue...you can use any brand of Pearl Powder or you can go the really inexpensive route and use Dollar Store Powder Make up (that is what I used and it works brilliantly), a disposable stirrer…measuring spoons…a little mixing cup and small containers to put the final product it (found them at the Dollar Store also…they are pill containers!)
Instructions:
Step 1: The first step is to put the “powder” into the little mixing cup. I added one tablespoon. I used Gold powder for this batch, but don’t forget you can use any color that you want!
Step 2: The Second Step is to add your glue to the powder. I added approximately 1 tablespoon and a half of the clear gel tacky glue. I found that that was a good ratio…if you want it a bit wetter…you can always add more of either.
Step 3: Now all you have to do is to stir the mixture well until you have a nice pliable substance.
That’s it! It really is that easy! Now all you have to do is put it into your little container with a tight fitting lid. Now you have your own little pot of gold!
Gilding Wax Before and After on Metal:
Here is a quick and easy way to show you how well it works! Here is a little metal butterfly hair clip before our Faux Metallic Rubbing Wax…
and now here it after applying the wax! All you do is rub it on and then buff off the excess. See how nicely it has turned to gold. I love the shimmer effect! After you apply it…allow it to dry. You can use less and show some of the darker metal through (for more of an aged look) or go for full coverage. You only need a very small amount.
I have to tell you that I applied it with my fingers. I tried a multitude of ways, like using a brush, q-tip etc but I came back to my finger in the end…trust me on this…it is the best way. Then use warm water and dish detergent to remove it from your hands, it works like a charm.
You can make this in all different colors…it’s so much cheaper to do it this way! Just imagine it in Copper, Bronze, Silver and more. You can use gilding wax on so many things to like moldings, frames, ornate carvings, metal embellishments, really all different types of projects where you want a beautiful gilded finish. Hope you enjoy using this and experimenting with it.
Be sure and check out our Comprehensive Gilding Wax post HERE and How to Gild with Foils HERE.
Hope to see you again really soon! Enjoy your day. If you would like to visit me in the mean time…You will find me hanging out at The Cottage Market.
(Hugs)
…Andrea
Angela TRENCHIK says
Just found this post. Such a great idea. Quick question: Do you seal your item with a clear sealant or does it hold up well on its own? Thanks
Karen Watson says
Hi Angela, This is an old post that I just revived and Andrea no longer writes for us. But my best guess is that you shouldn’t need a sealant since the gold is mixed in with the glue. I would think the glue would add like a sealant since it’s all bound together. You could always try adding a bit of the wax to a scrap piece of cardboard and test it out. If you find that you still want a sealant, I would use a spray sealant like one of the Krylon ones, but I don’t think you’ll need it. I hope that helps!
Vicki says
Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea! I can hardly wait to try it. I already have some different metallic color eye shadows from Dollar Tree that I am going to try making alcohol inks with. So this will be another way to use them.
graphicsfairy says
Go for it Vicki and have fun!!
Lorie says
I may be having a “brain burp”; but after applying the DIY metallic rubbing wax you recommend to “use warm water and dish detergent”. Are you saying to use the water and detergent on your hands to clean them OR to clean and help set the rubbing wax on the piece you are applying it to … OR maybe even BOTH ?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Lorie, it is to clean your finger 🙂
Tammy says
Hi, once you have made it can it be stored for a long period of time in a screw top container? or does it need to be used fairly quickly?
Thanks, Tammy
graphicsfairy says
It will be fine for quite a while Tammy, just keep in an airtight container 🙂
Kelsey says
Would the white tacky glue work the same way I wonder or does it absolutely have to be the clear just wondering cause trying to use what I’ve already got on hand.
graphicsfairy says
Hi Kelsey,
You can give it a try and see, but I can’t tell you for sure 🙂
Lori says
I’m wondering if this would work on polymer clay?
Karen Watson says
Hi Lori, We haven’t tried that, but I love that idea! If you give it a try please let us know if it works!
brigitte says
good idies not expensive !
Karen Watson says
Thanks Brigitte, I’m glad you found it useful!
Debbi Sspencer says
Since this is glue based, doesn’t it dry out” Do you need to work with it quickly before it becomes too set?
Thanks! I’d love to try it.
graphicsfairy says
Hi Debbi,
It doesn’t set super fast so you will have plenty of time to work with it, enjoy!!
Rupa says
This is just brilliant, thank you so much for the idea. I presume “perfect pearls” powder works the same as PearlX? I also have a set of pearly eye shadow set I got as a gift many years ago and I never used it. But I held on to it thinking I could use it in my crafts somehow. Looks like it would work as well? Thanks again.
graphicsfairy says
That sounds perfect Rupa!!
Donna Gough says
Love this! Can you tell me more about the ‘powder’? Is it womens make up? Colors seem unusual for that. In what store and department did you find it?
Thanks
graphicsfairy says
Hi Donna,
Andrea mentions in the post that she went to the dollar store to get the inexpensive version of “pearl powder”, and yes, believe it or not, it is woman’s makeup!! Pearl powder can be found in makeup stores or on Amazon. I hope that helps 🙂
Desiree L Marineau says
Eyeshadow, anywhere
Diana says
Thanks for sharing. I’m going to try it.
graphicsfairy says
Good for you Diana, enjoy!!