The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Furniture Finishing
Sometimes grease or oil is found to be the cause of the stain not penetrating: a little benzine or naphtha will clean this off before you apply the stain. Both sides of a flat piece, like a door or shelf, should not be stained at the same time unless special racks are provided for carrying them. At least one hour should be allowed before staining the other side and then it may be laid on a rack to dry.
When staining carvings or recesses of any kind, it is better to have a little less stain than customary, so that no surplus will be left when through brushing. If you get a surplus on any recess, pick it up quickly with waste or some absorbent material.
A little caustic soda is sometimes added to a formula to allow better penetration, but this is necessary only on removed surfaces. A little bichromate of potash can be used, about one to two ounces to the gallon, if desired, instead of the soda, and will be more satisfactory.
Sometimes it will be found that, after cooling, the stain will precipitate to the bottom of the container. When used again, the stain should be heated again and the container agitated or the stain stirred thoroughly. It will be found that the water will dissolve more stain when hot and for that reason the stain should always be mixed hot to get the full strength of the formula, then allowed to cool before applying, so as not to affect veneers or glue. Stone crocks are better containers for water stain than tin cans or iron buckets, as they are neutral chemically and the latter are not.
APPLICATION OF OIL STAINS
Oil stains can be applied with a spray gun or by hand brushing, but unlike water or spirit stains, must be wiped with waste or soft clean cloths. In mixing oil stain it is well to strain the stain before using, and after it has been thoroughly mixed, to prevent an insoluble aniline getting on the surface, for if this should happen, different shades may be noticed in the finish as a result of wiping particles of aniline over the surface when wiping off. It is better to purchase oil stains already prepared to give the desired color and results, and thus avoid difficulty. Most of the oil stain is purchased already prepared, even by those factories using large amounts.
Oil aniline can be made to dry slow or fast depending on the amount of slow-drying solvents used. When the surface begins to dry or show a dullness it is time to wipe off to prevent streaks. The slow drying of oil stains appeals to most finishers, and for that reason this stain is used in many places where water stain would be better. Little care is necessary in the application of oil stain execpt not to allow a slopping of surfaces where the stain is not wanted or to allow the stain to run. If sprayed on. any surfaces not needing the stain can be avoided by sloping the gun. In brushing care must be exercised at abutments or corners and the insides of drawers or cabinets.
