Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-04-28
RENEWING FURNITURE.
valuable Suggestions for tho Use Of
Housekeepers.

Housckecpers.
In almost every household there arc
articles which, as far as utility goes, arc
just rs good rs now, but which are de-
faced, faded or shabby-looldng merely
because the finish on them has been
worn or otherwise injr ~ed To throw
these away or pile them in the garrct is
an out-of-poclset sort OF economy, and
one which wise houselxccpers will not
indulge in, except for good and sufficient
reasons
II is a very easy matter 10 reconstruct,
renovate and refit household belong
ings, and II the few necessary appli-
anccs are kept ready at hand, the task
is neither unpleasant nor tedious, but
rather amusing. A bright-wittcd and
economical housewife, not long since,
invited one Of her friends to what she
called painting party" the friend he
ing the only guest. An attic room was
fitted mp with n bench, paint pots and
brushes, and here the visitor was in
vitcd to scat herself rs q spectator at
thcevolution OF a very old-fashioned and
almost hopeless-looking bedstead. II
was four-poster-a genuine old-timer.
While II was badly scratched and Eot by
any means ia prcscntablc condition,
II had great possibilities.
The old, scratched paint and varnish
were speedily removed with sand-p1per,
which was not difficult operation, as
all of the posts were turned. Then the
pieces were carefully busted off and
coated with white cnameled paint. The
4t..I
sold in the stores, and found IL answered
admirably; bat as IL was much too costly
for use in any quantity, she tried plan
of her own, which answered the pur-
pose very well.
Some white lead was mixed with very
fine coach varnish, thinncd with turpcn-
tiue until of the proper consistency, and
this was used in place of the enamel IL
made heavier body, and worked quite
rs 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 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 too odecp, as only
the roughness and possible speclSs or
bubbles in the paint were TO be removed.
This finished, 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 10 have four coats before
II 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 II comes from tho lSeg.
may be mixed with good varnish until
smooth and somewhat pasty. Fine
turpentine should then be added, 10 put
IL in working order. a comfortably
thick coat at first, well dried and sand
papered, then one or more thinner
coats, will put in admirable condition
any article Of furniture not hopelessly
battered or broken. After the first coat
is on, putty should be mixed quite soft,
and, with 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.
Y. Ledger