The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Interior Decorating
When mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions the scumble is evenly brushed with an ordinary paint brush over the ground colour and whilst still soft the scumble is lightly dabbed all over with the bristles of a dean duster to form a mottled surface, which should be even in texture. With this done, the dusting brush is lightly drawn over the work with a slightly shaken wrist movement to produce a series of tiny irregular lines. The work of graining with a scumble must be done very quickly before it dries. The beginner who is not experienced in the use of scumble can mix a very small amount of linseed oil with the scumble. Brush graining is illustrated in Fig. 15, which also shows a graining comb. Graining combs are made from steel and they vary in width from 1 to 4 ins., having a rim of coarse teeth. In use the graining combs are drawn over the soft scumble after it has been evenly mottled with the graining brush and the comb should produce a series of well divided lines which show the ground colour through them. These definite graining lines are obtained by gently stroking the work with the bristles of a dry clean dusting brush. The brush and the graining combs should be wiped clean after each section of the work has been completed. When the graining surface is dry it should be protected by applying two coats of varnish.
Wallpapering - Tools And Materials
THE tools and equipment required for paperhanging arc few and simple. When purchasing tools for this work, the home handyman should apply the principles of quality that are general to all kinds of tools. That is, it pays to buy the best. The tools described below comprise an ideal guide for the beginner, but in many cases it will not be found essential to purchase all the tools at once and simple substitutes for many of these will be found in the average household.
Plumb bob. A plumb bob is a shaped weight attached to a piece of stout cord and it is used for finding a perpendicular line. When starting to hang paper the use of a plumb bob is particularly important when pattern paper that has to be carefully matched up at the seams is used. In use the end of the cord of the plumb bob is held to the picture rail or at the junction of the wall or ceiling with the weight hanging freely. A simple substitute for a plumb bob can be made by hanging any weighty object from a length of cord. See Fig. 16.
Scissors. To obtain best results, it is advisable to use paper scissors which have very long blades and these are specially designed for the job. A pair of household scissors can be used for trimming the ends of paper if the sides of paper have been trimmed at the shop where the rolls of wallpaper are purchased.
