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

Interior Decorating

In some cases the bloom can be cured by rubbing over the surface with a mixture of oil and vinegar and afterwards wiping the work clean. If the bloom is not removed in this way the only remedy is to strip the work and completely re-varnish.

Cleaning off varnish can usually be done by rubbing the surface with powdered pummice and applying a new coat of varnish. There is no cure for varnish that flakes or falls and this is usually due to applying the varnish over a greasy surface.

In cases where the finished appearance of the varnish after it has dried is chipped and streaky, this is probably due to a difference in the temperature of the varnish and the decorating surface and it is advisable when varnishing to keep the tin of varnish in the room being decorated for some time before it is actually used.

Brush Graining. In most cases in interior decorating, varnish is used to give protection to special finishes and one of these finishes is known as "graining".

This is done to decorate the surface to imitate the graining of wood. The accurate representations of wood grains is usually considered to be a skilled job but it is possible for the amateur decorator to obtain some very good effects with a dusting brush and a graining comb.

Preparation for simple graining is the same as that for other types of paint finishes and the last undercoating of flat paint should be of a colour closely resembling the palest colour of the wood being imitated. Suitable colours should be chosen and a local colourman will advise on suitable colours for undercoats and the finishing coat which is known as "scumble".