The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Coloring Finishing And Painting Wood
34. Spirit-Stains Fade.—Spirit-stains made from aniline or other coal-tar dyes arc considered by many experts to be the most fugitive of all stains, although they are much more permanent than they were a few years ago. Their tendency to fade, and difficulty in application, have caused them to be used much less than are either water- or oil-stains. Spirit-stains are made from basic coal-tar dyes which the manufacturers know to be fugitive. Where a temporary brilliant effect is desired, and fastness to light is not a requisite, such stains may be used to advantage. Whenever spirit-stains are used on articles of furniture the fresh colors should not be exposed to bright light until after coats of shellac and varnish have been applied. Such impervious finishes keep out the air and prevent fading to a large extent.
APPLYING STAINS
35. Procedure in Staining.—The inexperienced writer of stories has difficulty in deciding on "how to start" or "where to start" the writing. The novice in wood-finishing has similar problems, and must decide which parts should be stained first. In general, it is best to begin with the most inconspicuous or least important parts, and to finish with the front, or parts that are most often seen. On vertical surfaces it is best to start at the top and work downward, usually with the grain. The article to be stained should be placed, whenever possible, so that no stain will drip or spatter onto an important surface, because spots will not always blend out. This trouble with spots may be serious, if the dye or color drips onto unstained portions not the article; and it is equally or more bothersome when drops fall upon surfaces already stained. Spots are not usually so troublesome with oil-stains as with no other kinds.
Placing the surface in an inclined position, with the operator standing at the lower long edge, and brushing from left to right, or lengthwise of the grain of the wood, are frequently helpful in preventing streaks and laps. The brush for staining should, in general, be kept quite full of stain, but must not be wet enough to drip. Part of the liquid can be removed from the brush by wiping it on a wire strung across the can, or by using the side of the container itself to press out the excess of stain.
The inside and shelves of cases, backs of legs, under side of arms of chairs, and other parts that will be seen but little should be stained first.
36. Use of Brushes and Wiping.—The brushes must generally be handled with care to prevent the stain from running over edges, and to avoid the drying of portions of a surface before it is entirely covered. It is best to apply the stain lengthwise or with the grain of the wood rather
than across the grain.
