Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-04-30
RENEWING FURNITURE.
valuable Suggestions for tho Use o.
HOusekeepcrs.

NoAuoOhv OakHVssAOh" sCs
HOuseleepcrs.
In almost every household there are
articles which, as far as utility goes, arc
Just as good as new, but which IRE de-
faced, faded or shabby-loolsing 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-poclet sort of economy, and
ono which wise housekeepers will not
indulge in, except for good and sufficient
reasons.
It is very easy matter to reconstruct,
renovate and refit 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 painting party" the friend be-
ing the only guest. An attic room was
fitted up with bench, paint pots and
brushes, and here the visitor was in
vited to seat herself rs spectator at
the evolution of very old-fashioned and
almost hopelcss-loolling bcdstead. 1t
was four-poster-a genuine old-timer
While it was badly scratched and not by
any means in presentable condition,
it had great possibilities.
The old, scratched paint and varnish
were speedily removed with sand-paper,
which was not difficult operation, rs
all of the posts were turned. Then the
pieces were carefully busted of and
coated with white enamcled paint. The
operator had tried the enamel such as Is
sold in the stores, and found it answered
admirably; but rs it 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, thinned with turpen-
tine until of the proper consistency, and
this was used in place Of the enamel. 1t
made n 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 crevices. When this was
perfectly hard. which required some
days, it was sand-papered off with fine
sand paper until perfectly smooth, care
being taken not to rub toodeep, 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 regu-
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 the keg,
NAV be mixed with good varnish until
smooth and somewhat pasty. Fine
turpcntine should then be added, to put
it in working order. A comfortably
thick coat Mt first, well dried and sand
papered, then one or more thinner
coats, will put in admirable condition
any article of furniture not hopelcssly
battered or broken. After the first coat
is on, putty should be mixed quite soft
and, with putty knife, all holes, deer
seams or cracks should be filed ant
carefully smoothed off. If this is done
the paint will cover perfectly, and ne
trace of the putty will be visible.-N
Y. Ledger.