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

Furniture Finishing

In laying the transfer great care should be taken that it be put on face to the surface, perfectly straight and firmly kept so while smoothing out. This may be done with the finger tips, a rubber roller of proper size, or for larger work, an ivory or bone smooth-edged letter opener, or for very large designs, a tightly packed and drawn pad of chamois skin. The danger chiefly to be guarded against is the appearance of bubbles beneath the paper once the transfer is laid; the best precaution is to put on one edge first, then roll or smooth carefully toward the other until the entire transfer is flat. On large transfers start at the center and roll one way, then the other.

PRECAUTIONS

Bubbles and wrinkles usually result from an excess or improper type of varnish and must be got rid of by gently squeezing them toward the edge of the transfer. Where allowed to remain, blisters will appear and eventually the transfer pigment will crack and peel off. An excellent precaution is to dampen the surface slightly then roll on the transfer with a special rubber roller. After the transfer has been laid and smoothed out it should be left alone for from ten to twenty minutes at the end of which time the exposed back is gently sponged all over with lukewarm water, repeating the operation if necessary, until the paper readily peels or slides off, revealing the complete and unmarred transfer design. Premature lifting of the paper may lift part of the picture and excessive moistening may crumble the paper to a point where it has to be picked off piece by piece. If oil, varnish or paint is allowed to spot the back of the transfer the water will not be able to penetrate at these points. Upon removal of the paper the design will still be covered by a thin gummy film which should be wiped off as quickly and gently as possible with a clean, slightly moistened cloth. If allowed to remain the gum will dry and in contracting crack and curl up the picture. The rubbing or polishing of transfers once cleaned up in the manner described is not advisable; it should be left to dry overnight and remain untouched during this time. Duplex transfere have an extra top layer of heavy paper which may be peeled off dry before the moistening operation on the thinner underlayer.