Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1928-04-27
STONE
DECORATION
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HOW TO USE LACQUER
By Helen Martin

by f1elSQ MdfIlQ
There is no end to the praises
that may be sung in behalf of lac
quer, and it's aid to decoration. 1t
has been perfected so as to be sue
cessfully handled by the inexper-
fenced, it is available in the most
interesting colors, and it is within
the range of the most limited bud
get. All of these are excellent rea-
sons for its present popularity.
But the most impressive of it's vir-
tues is the rapidity with which it
dries. In less than a half hour
after the lacquer has been applied,
piece of furniture is ready for use,
respondent in it's well chosen color,
smooth and with durable finish.
Care in each step of the proceed
ure must, of course, be employed to
secure the desired effect. It is es-
sential that the surface of the piece
to be finished be absolutely hard,
dry and in good condition. If it
has ever been painted or vanished
before, and shows wear or peeling,
it must be sandpapered before the
work is started, the dust brushed
off and the surface wiped with tur-
pentine; then to insure eVapora-
ton, allowed to stand for at least
twenty minutes. Or better still, a
paint and varnish remover may be
used. 1t is customary, in the case
of new, unfinished wood, to use a
wood filler, which is brushed and
rubbed on, and the excess rubbed
off before it hardens.
To guarantee a uniform distribu-
ton of color, an dto avoid air bub-
bles, Immediately after the lid of
the lacquer can has been removed,
stir gently with a smooth stick,
from the bottom of the can up
ward (rather than shaking the can
before it is opened. Then, pour a
small quantity of the lacquer into
a shallow dish, instead of using it
from the original container.
Next, choose a soft, short hair
brush, varying it in size to suit the
surface. Unlike paint, lacquer is
flowed on with full brush, smooth
ing itself out. 1t is never worked
backward and forward with short,
heavy strokes and strong pressure,
but is applied with a long, single
stroke. Avoid reworking, as far as
possible, as lacquer is inclined to
set if worked too long. If it fails
to smooth itself out, wet the brush
in thinner, on hand especially for
such an emergency. The thinner
will dissolve the lacquer, so that it
TTCTTaIINT ho A1 or1k
uneveness eliminated. Any thick
ening of the lacquer, in the can,
may be overcome by adding small
quantity of the thinner, which is
also good for cleaning the brushes,
the hands and spots on the floor or
clothing, after the lacquering has
been finished.
Over an article which was pre-
viOusly different color, two coats
of lacquer are necessary, if a light
er shade is used. On this second
coat it is even more important that
the brush be kept well filled, in or
der to avoid pulling up the first !
coat. On some new woods, two
coats may be required, and in such |
a case, it is advisable to allow at |
least an hour between applications.
The second coat may be applied
sooner, as the first will set in from
ten to fifteen minutes, but if given
a longer time between coats, it will
set much better.
The combination of a dull gold
trim, on an antiqued piece, with
g. n generous colors as vermilion,
jade green, Chinese red, and black,
gives a complete Oriental finish.
And it was in the Orient that lac
quered furniture first reached the
perfection that is again being at
tanned in America.