The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Furniture Finishing
Over this one or two coats of waterproof coach varnish may be brushed or sprayed, and allowed to dry twenty-four hours before re-coating or packing. Or two coats rubbing varnish may be applied over the shellac for a high grade finish, the first allowed twenty-four hours before re-coating and the second thirty-six to forty-eight hours before rubbing with pumice stone and oil. It goes without savin;; that these varnishes are not ordinary ones, but are specially blended to produce maximum elasticity, toughness, water and weatherproofness. If desired a frosted finish may be applied, using colored lacquer or water stain, white filler and clear gloss lacquer to harmonize with Breakfast Room Furniture (see Chapter VIII).
Lacquer.—First dip, brush, spray or wipe a thin oil-varnish waterproofing compound, full body, on all wood parts, air-dry overnight, follow with paste wood filler and three coats special waterproof lacquer sprayed full body at three-hour intervals. For a rubbed effect, flat lacquer may be used for the third coat.
Enamel.—Either the oil or lacquer enamel system for interiors may be employed, including the waterproofing compound and bond coat, but using only force or air drying, not baking, schedules. The bond coat is applied directly over the filler in the case of ash, oak or elm, directly on the wood in the case of birch or maple. Owing to the higher porosity of wood, an extra coat of enamel undercoater is desirable for oil as well as lacquer enamel. The finish color may be as for Metal Exteriors. Gum and birch call for waterproofing compound, two coats white-paint surfacer, air-dried overnight and sanded smooth, and two coats lacquer enamel, four hours between coats.
Backs.—For the backs of wooden refrigerators a sealer coat of any good ready-mixed paint will serve, a black or red oxide shade being usually preferred to cut the cost.
NOTES ON REFRIGERATOR FINISHING
All coats should be given plenty of time to dry under natural conditions, but artificial heat up to 100-110 F. with proper humidity control, will hasten the schedule without danger.
A long-oil varnish is preferable to a varnish artificially made to dry quickly; the latter is liable to be brittle and will not anchor as well. Wherever encountered end grain should be sealed with glazing compound, knifed well in and smoothed off. Parts recessed for hinges should be varnished as well as the edges of glass to help the putty stick. See that every place that moisture might enter wood or metal is perfectly sealed.
KITCHEN CABINETS
Metal.—The same system as for refrigerator metal exteriors.
Wood, Enamel.—The service conditions being less severe than with refrigerators, one or two coats each of oil primer, undercoater and gloss or eggshell enamel will serve, air or force dried, in white or light colors with conventional stencil decorations on panels.
