The Red Cloud chief., 1892-06-17
RENEWING FURNITURE.


valuable Suggestions for the Use q
Ho~usekeepsrs.
In almost every household there are
articles. which, as far rs utility goes, are
just as good as new, but which are de-
faced, faded or shabby-looking merely
because the finish ON them has been
worn or otherwise injured. To throw
these away Or pile them in the garnet Is
an out-of-pocket sort of economy, and
n which wise housekcepcrs will not
indulge in, except for good and sufficient
reasons.
1t Is a very easy matter to reconstruct,
%renovate and reft household belong
ings, and IL 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 a painting party" the friend be-
ing the only guest. An attic room was
fitted up with a bench, paint pots and
brushes, and here the visitor was in
vited to seat herself as n spectator at
h evolution Of a very old-fashioned and
almost Notwithstanding bedstead. It
was a four-poster--a genuine old-timcr.
While 1t vas badly scratched and not by
any means In q ~prcsentabe condition,
1t had great possibilities.
The old, scratched paint and varnish
were speedily removed with sand-paper,
which was not a difficult operation, as
all of the posts were turned. Then the
pieces were carefully busted off and
coated with white enameled paint. The
operator had tried the enamel such as is
sold in the stores, and found IL answered
admirably; but us It was much too costly
for use in any quantity, she tried n plan
Of her own, which answered the pur-
pose very well.
Some white lead was mixed with very
fine coach varnish, thinned with turpcn-
tine until of the proper consistency, and
this was used in place Of the enamel. 1t
made a heavier body, and worked quite
as easily, but required much moro time
to dry. The first coat seemed to sink
into the wood, and filed up all OF the
cracks and crcvices. When this was
perfectly hard, which required some
days, 1t was sand-papered off with fine
sand paper until perfectly smooth, care
being taken not to rub toodeep, rs only
the roughncss and possible specls or
bubbles in the paint were to be removed.
This finished, n 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 regu-
lating the amount Of paint required.
One piece had to have four coats before
1t 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 the keg,
may be mixed with good varnish until
smooth and somewhat pasty. Fine
turpentine should then be added, to put
1t in working order. A comfortably
thick coat at first, we'll dried and sand
papercd, then one or more thinner
coats, will put in admirable condition
any article Of furniture not hopclessly
battered OF broken. After the first coat
is on, putty should be mixed quite soft,
and, with a putty knife, all holes, deep
seams or cracks should be filed and
carefully smoothcd off. II this is done,
the paint will cover perfectly, and no
trace of the putty will be visitle.-N.
Y. Ledger.