Los Angeles herald., 1910-07-17
FINISHING FLOORS

The beauty of the hardwood floor is
becoming so thoroughly appreciated
that it would be futile to comment
upon 1T, and so for the benefit of those
who are building new homes or having
old floors refinished we will give a few
we'll tested methods that have proved
very satisfactory.
If you desire an especially fine finish
on an oak floor, the following treat
ment is recommended: First see that
the surface is both clean and smooth,
and apply a good paste filler. taxing
care to remove all surplus filler after
it has begun to harden and just be-
fore it is ready to "Set.'
Paste filler can be purchased from
any paint dealer. and is easily applied.
1t should be put on with coarse
brush and the surplus removed with
rag, excelsior or mineral wool before
it becomes hard. Twentyfour hours
later the floor must be carefully sand
papered and wiped clean with damp
cloth so that no dust will be left in the
varnish. Apply a coat of white gum
shellac varnish evenly, and when dry
lightly sandpaper and dust. A second
coat can be put on as soon as the nrst
is perfectly hard, generally in twenty
four hours, although it is safer to wait
two or three days, especially II the
weather is damp.
result VIII D6 d SlOSS IL q
polished surface is desired it can be
obtained by rubbing with rottenstone
and olive oil. If a waxed surface is
wanted the surface must not be dis
turbed for twenty-four hours, when 1t
should be lightly sandpapered and
treated to a coat of floor wax SubSe-
quent coats of wax are applied as oc-
casion requires. Polish after each ap-
plication of wax with floor polishing
machine.
No attempt should ever be made to
finish any floor until it has been thor
oughly cleaned and sandpapered
If your floors are yellow pine or
maple they may, without preliminary
treatment other than cleaning, be
waxed with any of the good wakes by
following the instructions which ac-
company them.
A cheap and effective oil finish for
ordinary kitchen floors of soft pine or
spruce is made as follows: To one
gallon of light paraffine oil, heated IN
a water bath almost to the boiling
point add half a pound of paraff1ne.
which has been melted in ladle, stir
ring vigorously to prevent the mixture
becoming lumpy as it cools. Apply TINS
oil to the floor with a brush, wiplng
off the surplus as soon as possible with
a wooden rag. The operation should pc
repeated until the floor seems to be
thoroughly saturated, when no further
treatment will be needed for three or
four months, except to mop it occa-
sionally with a dry woolen rag.
Hardwood floors of yellow pine or
maple can be finished in a similar
manner but with a different prepara-
ton. Mix half a gallon of boiled lin
seed oil, one quart of benzine and one
quart of kerosene, and apply with
brush. A second and third coat may
follow as soon as previous coats have
had time to soak in.
A floor treated in this manner can
be kept clean by Wiping it with
moistened cloth occasionally.
An old floor may be cleaned and
sandpapered. The largest cracks and
tack holes filled with a good crack
filler and treated like a new floor or
two coats of good paint may be ap-
piled and a couple of coats of varnish.
This makes a very presentable floor, Is
easily taken care of and will wear for
a long time without refinishing.