The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Furniture Finishing
Bulbing.—The rubbing process is the same as outlined in Chapters VII and VIII, Book II. Steel wool can be used over the first coat for cheaper work, and avoid the varnish coat.
COVERING OLD SURFACES
To cover old surfaces without removing the varnish sand thoroughly with 4/0 waterproof garnet paper, clean off with water and wipe dry with a chamois. Allow four hours for drying before coating.
Following coats over old surfaces must be correct materials. Shellac or any spirit varnish should not be applied over oil varnish or enamel. Varnish is seldom used over lacquer, or varnish enamels over lacquer enamels, neither should the reverse be applied, for instance, lacquer materials over varnish materials, unless a crackled surface is desired.
All holes or abrasions must be patched before coating over an old surface and just before the last coat (see Book IV, on Patching). The same rule applies in coating old surfaces as in finishing new pieces, only the undercoat must be tested for the kind of material.
The turpentine test for varnish or enamel materials will result in the softening of such materials, whereas all lacquers and spirit varnishes will remain hard. Submerge a portion of the piece in turpentine spirits for twenty-four hours, or cover a portion with the spirits and the result will be the same, unless the varnishes are unusually hard.
Turpentine will dissolve wax and this can be removed by wiping with a rag, and then the test for varnish can proceed as before mentioned. Always sand an old surface before coating.
If you feel that the surface you are about to coat is lacquer, and you wish to coat over it, the best way to decide the question is by coating over an obscure portion with some lacquer brushing material, and if it does not peel off or check, it is safe to proceed. Brushing lacquer has become very popular for refinishing old pieces of furniture and some information on its use will be timely. Do not brush lacquer material over a varnish surface unless you have a material that you know will work satisfactorily. On removed surfaces use nothing but water or non-grainraising stain under clear lacquer.
Be sure you have patched the surface to be coated, as outlined and instructed in Book IV, and that the surface is clean and thoroughly dry. Apply the lacquer as fast as possible, being sure to cover well as you go along, as these materials dry too fast for slow work and touching up. Be sure not to overlap any previous coating when working on a piece of furniture, and cover a small surface at a time without allowing time for setting of a brush stroke before applying another. There must be no recess when applying lacquer—stay with it until the job is finished.
