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Poliment Powder

Sepp Leaf Poliment Powder offers a flexible, traditional approach to water gilding, allowing artisans to prepare poliment to their preferred consistency and working method. The powder must first be premixed with water to form a smooth slurry, then allowed to rest before being stirred again to achieve the proper texture. This preparatory step ensures the clay is fully hydrated and ready to integrate with the binder.

Once the poliment is prepared, it is combined with a traditional adhesive such as rabbit skin glue. The ratio of glue to poliment will vary depending on the color, with red and black requiring a slightly higher glue content than yellow and white. The glue is prepared separately using standard methods, soaked, gently heated, and brought to the proper working consistency, before being mixed into the poliment.

After preparation, application follows the established steps of traditional water gilding. The poliment is applied in thin layers over a properly prepared ground, allowed to dry, and smoothed to create a refined surface. Gold leaf is then applied and burnished to achieve a high, luminous finish. This system provides the control and authenticity of traditional techniques while allowing for precise customization in preparation and application.