Brake pipes don’t corrode to green.  That is about 10% Ni.

The carrier for the finely ground powder acts as a sealer so the metal won’t oxidise

If it is the “liquidleaf” brand that has been around for years and works OK.

On 13 September 2025 at 08:38 Danni Burns Said:

 

Gold definatly tarnishes too.

 

Pure gold does not tarnish.  Gold leaf is usually 24 kt, or 99.9% gold and doesn’t tarnish.  Gold jewelry does tarnish as it is alloyed with other metals to improve durability.

Russell

I remember as a lad about 85 years back watching men making gold leaf opposite Salford Central Railway Station. There where two open fronted shops below ground level and you could stand on the street and watch

Roy

If you have not applied leaf before then the “transfer” type is likely to be less wasteful than loose. It has a carrier paper so won’t disappear if you sneeze.

This clock and cabinet I made about 12yrs ago still looks as good as the day I made then when I visited teh client recently. The panel mouldings are leafed to give an older distressed look.

I think I got away with a single book. the beads are about 15mm wide so 6 x 100 per sheet, 25 sheets in a book would be enough for 50ft. The sides of the clock have two similar glazed panels and the ends of the cabinet are also panelled.

You could also consider the metalic gold signwriters paints they tend to have a finer pigment than Liquidleaf. This company is where the leaf and size came from and they do the paints. They also have some how to info.

I also have a liking for printers ink mixed with copal varnish as it is too thick straight out teh tin. very finely ground but not tried it outside, just used it a lot on model figures.