100% absorbent cotton for gilding ? EXTRA high quality (PG)

ORO – EXTRA-quality absorbent cotton for gilding
This premium-grade cotton—made from pure cotton and featuring a light, pleasant scent—is the ideal material for creating the pads (or "tampons") used to apply gold leaf, as well as for spreading oil-based gilding size (adhesive) and shellac.
Thanks to its softness and fiber purity, it is perfectly suited for gilding and restoration work requiring delicacy and precision.
Widely used for cleaning polychrome surfaces, this cotton is an indispensable tool for conservators and restorers dedicated to preserving the integrity and beauty of the artworks and furnishings they treat.

🔹 Explanation:
Absorbent cotton — highly absorbent cotton wool. Used in the arts and restoration.
100% ORO — this does not mean the cotton contains gold. It is likely a label or product line name ("ORO" / "Gold") indicating the material's superior quality.
EXTRA high quality — excellent quality.
Gilding — the application of a layer of gold to a surface.

🔹 Applications:
This type of cotton is used:
to apply imitation gold leaf (metal leaf) or genuine gold leaf;
to polish gilded surfaces;
to remove adhesive residue or excess gold;
for restoration and decorative purposes.

🎨 Step-by-step gilding procedure using cotton
1. Surface preparation
The surface must be clean, dry, and smooth. If necessary, apply a base coat (e.g., gesso or acrylic primer).

2. Adhesive application (size/mordant)
Use a specific gilding adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry slightly until it becomes tacky (the "tack" stage): this indicates it is ready for the gold application.

3. Applying imitation leaf or genuine gold leaf
Carefully place the sheets onto the tacky surface.
A soft brush can be used as an aid, but at this stage, the following is often used:

🔸 Absorbent cotton wool:
Roll it into a soft ball or pad.
Gently smooth the gold—either through a cloth or directly on the leaf—to ensure it adheres well, lies flat, and does not tear.

4. Removing excess and burnishing
Once the gold has adhered, use a clean, dry cotton pad to:
carefully remove any excess; burnish the gold, pressing it into the surface's micro-texture;
lightly polish it to enhance its brilliance.
🔸 This is where high-quality 100% cotton proves essential: it is lint-free, non-scratching, and treats the gilded surface gently.

5. Protective coating (optional)
Once completely dry, a varnish or shellac can be applied to protect the gold from oxidation and potential damage.
Tips:
Do not use standard pre-soaked cotton pads; use only clean, dry absorbent cotton wool.
Work in a clean, draft-free environment.
If you are a beginner, try using imitation gold leaf first rather than genuine gold leaf.