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

Furniture Finishing

The surfacing of cement in any kind of deep damage is the same regardless of the finish, unless the cement and entire surface is to be refinished. If a coating is to be placed over the cement, do not use any oil for sanding, but sand with dry garnet paper 6/0 or else use 2/0 steel wool. Where the spray is used in patching over cement, sand with dry garnet paper also. Remember always to clean off the surface after sanding or surfacing with any material, whether dry or wet, to prevent particles of dirt or finish from getting into the finish. A tack rag should be used for dry sanded surfaces and a dry rag for wet or oily surfaces before proceeding with the finish or patch.

Oil should always be used with garnet paper for sanding down a cement spot, if you expect to French polish afterward, or use pumice stone and oil to rub the spot down before french- ing. Naphtha can be used on a felt, if the spot is inconspicuous or unusually high after filling.

BRIEF OF PATCHING OPERATIONS FOR INDENTATIONS

Varnished Surfaces.—Fill with transparent or colored wood cement. Surface down first with naphtha and felt. Finish by sanding with fine garnet paper and oil on a felt or cork block to make absolutely level. French polish with amalgamater or other like products until smooth and then stain up to match the grain of wood. Dull if necessary with stiff bristle brush and pumice.

Lacquer ar Shellac.—Fill with transparent or colored cement of lighter shade. Surface dry with garnet paper or steel wool. Make absolutely level before finishing. Spray over a coat of a good spray clear lacquer after staining if necessary. After the lacquer has dried at least two hours rub with pumice stone and oil or steel wool as desired.

Enamels.—Fill with colored cement and surface dry. Tint a lacquer or enamel and spray or brush over the spot, after which rub with pumice.

For the repair of damages to enameled surfaces, refer to Chapter VII, where full information is given as to preparation of materials and their application. For full information regarding the damage to decorative finishes, refer to Chapter VIII.

RUBBED THROUGH PLACES

Any place where the finish has been removed by rubbing against another object is classified as "rubbed through." Under this heading we have wide scratches, where the finish and stain have been removed, leaving the wood bare. Places not larger than two or three square inches may be patched, but large spots, where the finish is entirely removed, should be treated in a different manner. Many times a spot is so large that it would require more time to patch it than to refinish it.