The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Furniture Finishing
Funding Spot to Feathered Edge.—Sand the spot out around the edges so that the edge will not be noticed and the whole spot is level with the surrounding surface. This sanding is done with 5/0 garnet finishing paper, with just a little oil on the paper, to prevent scratching the varnish. After the spot has been sanded with this paper, finish off with 7 0 garnet finishing paper over a felt block, and with a little oil on the surface. Clean off the spot with a dry cloth and proceed to polish.
Amalgamating the Surface.—The use of amalgamater on a rubber or sponge, as described in Chapter II, applied in limited amounts and at frequent intervals, draws the varnish on the surrounding surface over the spot and deposits it there together with the gum from the amalgamater, and thus forms a base for additional material and stain. Circular motions with the rubber, about four inches in diameter and overlapping each other, crossing the spot as much as possible, and concentrating on the spot, soon bring about a glazed surface. Any materials sold for frenehing will do the work, but the thinner liquids are to be preferred to French varnish for this operation. After the glaze is permanent, finish off with strokes parallel to the figure of the wood.
Building up a Spot.—There is only one material that should be used for building up a spot on a varnished surface. Shellac was the material formerly used for this purpose and, as mentioned before, whole surfaces were finished with shellac by the French polishing method. Today we have a refined shellac gum. cut in alcohol, known as French varnish, a clear, transparent varnish, more satisfactory than any other for building up a spot on varnish or shellac finishes.
The French varnish is applied with a rubber, the same as amalgamater or any of the other materials for frenehing. It can be diluted with denatured alcohol to any desired consistency and applied with circular motions overlapping, or with sweeping strokes, lifting the pad away from the surface at the end of each stroke. A little oil (just a drop or two), applied to the surface of the pad on applying the French varnish, will result in quicker building of the spot and prevent pulling of the rubber on the finish. If no oil is used, the rubber, unless it contains considerable oil, will pull off all the finish on the spot and deposit it on the surrounding finish.
Finishing the Spot.—Always use amalgamater, or other light frenching liquids, for the finish of the spot, and the surface will take on a better polish and be smoother, and smoothness is really what disguises the spot. Sometimes it is better to polish off the entire surface, especially if conspicuous and small. Even large tops of tables or dressers will be more easily matched if the entire surface is polished and then dulled if desired.
