The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Furniture Finishing
VARNISH FINISH COATS AND RUBBING
Varnish should be applied over a second coat of varnish, so the specifications should read: Shellac, sanding, varnish, sanding, varnish and rubbing. This is the tried and true method of getting an excellent varnish finish in dull, satin or high polish finish.
If sprayed on, the varnish should be warm so that it will flow out as smooth as possible without pitting, so in buying a varnish for spraying be sure to get one recommended for a finish coat. To get the best results it should not be quite so heavy as the second coat. If possible spray all the surfaces on a horizontal plane, for much running of the varnish will be noticed unless the operator is an experienced hand. It is frequently possible to get the most of any piece horizontally, especially the front, and all removable pieces should be laid in this manner. Spraying on a horizontal surface is likely to promote puddling and slow drying with an inexperienced spray hand. It is well to use compressed air referred to in the previous chapter, to remove all dust particles on all pieces before varnishing, and when finished rush them into the drying room. Varnish should remain from eight to twenty-four hours, depending on the heat and drying qualities of the varnish, before rubbing. A good test for rubbing is to press the hand lightly on the finish, and if it does not mark in thirty seconds, you may rub with safety. A lot of varnishes used in production shops should not be rubbed in less than two to five davs.
RUBBING VARNISH FOR DULL FINISH
To secure the dull fini*h use FF or FFF pumice stone and water on felt rubbing pad and rub the surface until smooth. Plenty of water must be used on the surface at all times to prevent heating and rolling of the varnish. Rubbing must be systematic and not spasmodic. Make regular strokes back and forth with machine or hand, as the case may be. Remember the machine was made to do the labor once done by hand, so use it whenever possible. Oil rubbing may follow water rubbing for a satin finish to prevent a grayish appearance.
Rubbing varnish properly requires constant practice, and while many may do a satisfactory job by following directions, few perform good work in a reasonable length of time without much practice.
Stay away from the edges until the last and then touch them lightly, for they cut through at the first touch if it happens to be heavy enough. The ends of any straight surface, where it breaks off abruptly, as the ends of dresser tops, etc., should be rubbed at first across the grain so that you need not press so hard when rubbing with the grain.
