The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Furniture Finishing

HAND WORK

By the hand method the glaze is brushed on evenly all over, allowed to approach the "setting" point, which may be a few minutes or an hour, according to the amount of japan dryer in the mixture, then wiped off the parts to appear light. If the glaze is still wet, a dry cloth will serve; if drying has advanced to a "tack," the cloth should be moistened with benzine. The glaze should never be allowed to dry hard or even reach a tack. Where hand-applied and high-lighted, the antique effect will be more pronounced where the paint surface is rough than –when smooth and this should be kept in mind when the undercoat is selected and applied. For instance, a porous undercoat or one put on with a coarse brush which will dry with the brush marks visible, will catch and show more glaze than a smooth glossy paint or rubbed enamel surface.

HIGH-LIGHTING AND BLENDING

After the glaze has been wiped the effect of '' feather-edging,'' so easily accomplished with the spray, is usually lacking. For this reason it is necesary to go over the surface again with a light, broad badger hair brush, known as a blender, to draw the dark and light areas together in a gradual shading. On flat surfaces the principle is the same as for stain shading as to where high-lights and shadows should appear; on raised work such as carvings, mouldings, etc.. it is only necessary to pass the benzine-moistened rag over the prominent parts, letting the glaze appear chiefly in the recesses.

COLOR SHADING

On novelty furniture, such as tilt-top tables, magazine carriers, humidors and the like, the antiquing idea is often subordinated to a desire for color harmony, in which case the shading materials are made up or procured in japan, oil or lacquer colors. For such work the spray is almost universally used, producing such combinations as dull blue or dark gray shading on a light gray body color, black on light green or red, dark blue on light blue, tan on ivory, lavender on green, gold on black, etc. Decalco-mania transfers or hand painted floral groups are frequently used to supplement the decorative effect, being placed in the centre, the color shading beginning some distance away and following the edge of the surface.