Foil Installation Worksheet
Thank you for purchasing our exciting metallic foils. The foils may be used as we describe in our"It's Faux Easy" pattern packets or as shown in our videos on our web site itsfauxeasy.com. They have many other possibilities as well, all depending on how you the artist wish to use them. There are some general guide lines to follow that will make the installation of the foils easier for you.
Base coats
The foils can go over any flat, satin, or semi gloss oil or latex based paint. If you are going over flat latex you may need two coats of the Rolco or Wunda size to permit better transferring of the foil and longer working time. You can base coat the surface you are going to foil with satin latex or satin oil based paint in any color of your choice which allows you to then apply usually only one coat of size. Often times we will select a paint color that is close to the dominant foil color being used and paint it in a latex satin finish. Sometimes when we want a very strong metallic look we will even use a metallic paint underneath the foil. Other times we may want to use a complimentary accent color underneath the foil to create an interesting contrast. The base coats need to be fully dried before applying the size.
Sizing
We recommend using the Oil Based Rolco Rolco Slow Set or the water based Wunda Size for all of your projects. You can roll or brush the sizing onto your surface. On the job site we normally use a 9 inch paint roller with a 3/8 inch roller sleeve on it to apply our size. The lower the nap of the sleeve the more even your size will level out. For samples of smaller project we prefer to use a 1/4 inch nap woven fabric sleeve to apply the size with.
The OIL BASED SIZE has an odor to it, so keep the room ventilated, and is cleaned up with paint thinner. It will also discolor your surface with an amber cast to it. This is often times desirable in your design process, such as in our Medieval Metal technique. The discoloration is more noticeable on lighter base colors than on darker colors and will continually darken with age. The oil size will level out to an almost glass finish as it tacks up. We also use the oil size differently than the directions listed on the can. We want the size to be very aggressively sticky, like flypaper, when transferring the foil. You should hear a noticeable popping noise when you touch your finger to the surface and remove it. This usually takes 1 to 2 hours after sizing the area, but may be more or less time depending on environmental conditions. This aggressive tack stays open for up to 4 to 6 hours depending on working conditions. As time goes on the Rolco Size will dry firm with no tack to it at all after 48 hours or so. If the size tacks up too firmly, the foil will not transfer as well and you will have to size those areas again. On a job, we try to apply one coat of size first thing in the morning and apply the foil as soon as it is tacky enough.
The WATER BASED SIZE has almost no odor to it and is cold water clean up. Any more this is the sizing product we will use on almost 100% of our projects. This size will not discolor your surface but does not level out as smooth as the oil size. The water based size will look milky when first applied but will dry clear as it tacks up usually in 15 to 30 minutes. The Wunda Size will remain tacky for transferring indefinitely even for weeks or months or until something like dust, dog hair etc bonds to the tacky size.
One coat of wunda Size is usually all that is required for a good transfer of foil. If you want maxium transfer of foil we recommend two coats of the Wunda Size. Allow the first coat to tack up before applying the second coat of Wunda Size and then allow it to tack up for an hour or more. The longer you leave the size to tack up the better your transfer, we prefer to apply two coats of size one day and then the next day transfer our foils for the best maximum release of the foil.
Once the foil is transferred it needs no sealer before over-glazing or doing any additional finishes on. The foil will accept any water or oil based products without a contamination issue.
Foiling
You must have the SHINY SIDE UP when transferring the foils. Then with a firm, hard, even pressure rub the foil onto the tacky size, and then remove the backing. We have found that using a small, short bristled, nylon scrub brush works very well for giving maximum release, we recommend the Robert Rubber. You can transfer as large or as small a piece of foil as you want. To help avoid obvious seams, if you do not want them, apply the foil with a torn, ragged edge, or do not press the edge down firmly. The foils do not usually transfer 100% to your surface. You can usually expect a 70 % to 95% transfer. This will vary a certain amount on if you crumple up the foil and then uncrumple it before applying it to the surface. A tighter crumple will yield a different look than a loose crumple will. You can also just apply the foil flat which will transfer differently. Experiment with this because each look is different. If you want 100% coverage you may need to size and foil and then resize over the foil and foil again. Another option is to base coat your surface in a color very similar to the foil. This will aide in the appearance of a solid transfer.