My stepdad is a signwriter, and he knows a thing or two about paint. He said that for things such as honour boards and the like, there is no alternative but to use real gold leaf. This is because the gold “paints” they sell are comprised of metal filings in suspension, and they never quite work out well - usually they discolour quickly, or they are difficult to apply, resulting in a finished job that looks amateurish. So he sticks to the genuine gold leaf (which is very expensive).
But he has always wanted to know what the gold paint is that they use on toys. Things like frisbees etc sometimes have gold writing on them, and this stuff lasts for decades without any visible change. It remains as bright and clear as the day the toy was manufactured. It must be cheap because the toys are cheap.
What is it, and where does he get some?