Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-04-28
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In almost every household there arc
articles which, as far as utility goes, arc
just as good as new, but which are de-
faced, faded or shabby-looldng merely
because the finish on them has been
worn or otherwise injured. To throw
these away or pile them in the garrot is
an out-of-poclSet sort Of economy, and
one which wise housckcepors viii not
indulge in, except for goodnnd sufficient
reasons.
II is a very easy matter to reconstruct,
renovate and reit household belong
ings, and II the few necessary appli-
ances are kept ready at hand, the task
is neither unpleasant nor tedious, but
rather amusing A bright-witted and
economical housewife, not long since,
invited one Of her friends to what she
called painting party" the friend be-
ing the only guest An attic room was
fitted up with bench paint pots and
brushea, and here the visitor was In
vited TO seat herself MS a spectator at
the evolution Of a very old-fashioned and
almost hopeless-loolSing bedstead. II
was a four-poster- genuine old-timer.
While 1t was badly scratched and not by
any means in presentuble condition,
it had great possibilities.
The old, scratched paint and varnish
were speedily removed with sand-paper,
which was not a difiicult operation, as
all of the posts were turned. Thcn the
pieces were carefully busted oil and
coated with white enameled paint. The
operator had tried the enamel such as is
sold in the stores, and found it answered
admirably; but as II was much too costly
for use in any quantity, she tried a plan
of her own, which answered the pur-
pose very we'll
Some white lead was mixed with very
fine coach varnish, thinned with turpen-
tine until of the proper consistency, and
this was used in place Of the enamel. 1t
made heavier body, and worked quite
as easily, but required much more time
to dry. The first coat seemed TO sink
into the wood, and filed up all of the
cracks and creviccs When this was
perfectly hard which required some
days, it was sand-papcred off with fine
sand paper until perfectly smooth, care
being taken not to rub too deep, as only
the roughness and possible specks or
bubbles in the paint were to be removed.
This finished, a coat Of enamel, made
quite thin with turpentine, was applied.
A number of articles were worked over
in this way, some Of them receiving
three and others but two coats of the
paint, the difference in the wood rcgu-
lating the amount of paint required.
One piece had to have four coats before
it was satisfactory.
There Are many persons who would
like to use enamel paints, but, like the
party mentioned, find them too eX-
pensive. When this is the case, the best
white lead as it comes from tho lScg,
may be mixed with good varnish until
smooth and somewhat pasty. Fine
turpentine should then be added, to put
it in working order. A comfortably
thick coat at first, well dried and sand
papcred, then one or moro thinner
coats, viii put in admirable condition
any article Of furniture not hopelessly
battered or broken. After the ilrst coat
is ON, putty should be mixed quite soft,
and, with n putty knife, all holes, deep
seams or cracks should be filled and
carefully smoothed off. II this is done, |
the paint will cover perfectly, and no
trace of the putty will be visible.-N.
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