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

Furniture Finishing

STENCILING PROCEDURE

There are several essentials to stenciling all of which must be carefully observed if the work is to be successful, for even though the process appears simple, there are a number of possible slips.

In the first place the stencil, be it paper, metal or fabric, must lie absolutely flat on and flush with the surface. A properly sharp, clear outline is impossible if some of the paint, ink or lacquer gets under the edges and blurs the outline when the stencil is lifted. Secondly the stencil must be kept clean—it is best to wash it on both sides after each operation with the solvent of the color used, naptha, alcohol or water. Thirdly the stencil material must be of a nature that it will not be attacked by the solvent—paper should be oiled and fabric well fortified with filler. If water colors are used, the paper should be shellaced or lacquered.

Ordinarily the paper stencil may be held flat with the hand while the color is daubed on, especially where the stencil is small and the work must be done rapidly. For larger stencils push pins or a mixture of gelatine, sugar and glycerine is used— suitable where less rapid working is satisfactory. Metal stencils are held flat partly by their weight and partly by hand pressure, whereas silk screen stencils are usually mounted in a heavy frame, glued or tacked to the bottom side. For spraying the frame is given high sides.

Stencil colors are applied by brush, spray, squeegee or sponge. When brushed the action is rather of pouncing than of spreading and the brush must be held straight up and down at all times to prevent the bristles working under the edge of the stencil and mussing the edge. Of course special stencil brushes are essential and no attempts should be made with flat, soft bristle or even oval brushes. The size depends on whether one-, two- or three-color work is being done and whether the openings are large or small. A sponge or squeegee is used on silk screen stencils.

STENCIL WORK

The colors used in stencil work depend on the manner of application. For brush and squeegee, oil tube glazing or oil and japan colors are used and their consistency should be about that of thick cream. A good binder is essential in order to prevent running—japan gold size is a favorite if the material contains much oil. Where gold, aluminum or copper bronze is transferred japan gold size is first pounced over the stencil opening and upon its removal, as soon as the size is in the right tacky condition, the powder is blown on. It will adhere only to the size as trans- ferred through the stencil. The same general system is employed with gold or silver leaf which is layed on with a gilder's tip and trimmed by pulling off loose edges after adhesion has become firm.