The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Furniture Finishing
Spirit enamel in white only must be in every complaint kit. with five tinting colors for tinting the enamel for any color. These tints come in yellow, red, blue, green, black, etc. The tints can be kept in small vials, as little at a time is ever required. The white spirit enamel is kept in a jar with a screw-cap so that it is easily accessible.
In patching lacquer surfaces, some clear lacquer or a jar of white lacquer, like the one of enamel, and a similar line of lacquer tints should be included. The application of lacquer to so many pieces of furniture today requires that this material be included in all kits that are up to date.
Removing Packing Marks
FOR many years the bane of existence of the retail furniture dealer has been packing marks. Soft varnish, the result of the manufacturer sending out pieces on which the finish was not sufficiently dried, is the cause. Even if long-time drying was resorted to. in the summer months in the temperate zone even the heat softens the varnish to the extent of marking under the slightest pressure. At the present time better crating and the use of lacquer instead of varnish has largely eliminated the packing marks from the better grades of furniture, and musical instruments are packed with the intention of entirely eliminating them.
If all light pieces of furniture are swung in the crate, instead of pressing a pad against the surface where the crate touches, these marks will be largely eliminated. Wax paper is used in covering most pieces before crating, and of course this helps, but the secret seems to have been discovered by the manufacturers of phonographs. The frame is built in such a manner as to brace the machine in the box. Either waxed blocks or felts are the only thing that touches the cabinet and the wax remains cold (having a melting point of about 130° F.) and forms an excellent cushion between the wood and the finish.
MATERIALS TO USE
In the case of very light packing marks, use FFF pumice stone and oil. If the marks are deep, use a rubbing block of felt and 5/0 garnet finishing paper and oil for surfacing and amalgamater for frenching with the rubber. One must decide if the marks are just a slight impression, before using the pumice rubbing method, for you must consider that you cannot rub through the finish, and if the marks are through the last coat of finish it is better to French polish the surface.
