Evening star., 1937-10-05

that is battered and marked
looks like an old sailor with a shiny
wooden leg if it has one restored leg
that looks new. I think it permis-
sible to antique" the new leg if by
so doing the whole piece achieves its
former glory.
Carving is very difficult to restore,
except in small bits and where the
complete design is evident; it should
not be attempted by the novice. Plas-
tic wood which may be bought in any
good paint shop is excellent for this
purpose. If carving or decoration is
not in place, and has been completely
destroyed, take it to an expert on
design, who will tell you where you
may find similar piece-or at least
spend some time in q museum or
library to hunt up the real thing
before you try to improve on the
original. If not, your piece will never
be restored piece" but will be rele-
gated to the large collection of mon
strosities.
IF YOU have large holes in a table
top or chair arm. cut them out
cleanly all around so that they are
perfectly rectangular in shape. Into
this hole fit piece of wood with
the grain running the same way and
as near to the color of the piece as
possible. Glue this in place and
c1o II until ie
be sanded and finished to match the
rest of the piece. Small holes and
deep dents may be filled with stick
shellac, which looks, and is used like,
sealing wax, or with plastic wood.
Plastic wood may be tinted by work.
ing into it decorators color, so that
it will match any wood, and, when
dry, may be carved, sanded or shell
lacked like the wood itself. Stick
shellac may be purchased in a wide
variety Of shades.
All pieces of furniture should be
restored and in perfect condition be-
fore they are cleaned for refiniShing.
In this way any new wood used in
restoration will be 50 thoroughly sat-
urated with the old finish as it comes
off that it will be almost impossible
to detect the new wood. There is only
one exception to this rule. If you are
planning to clean off the paint with
lye, or a similar preparation, and you
have mended it with plastic wood
or stick shellac, you may be sure
that most of the plastic wood will be
washed out in the water and lye
bath and you will have to do the job
over again. In this case only do the
restoration after the piece is cleaned.
X X X
IF you are having difficulty deciding
whether or not to have the restora-
ton on fine piece done by some one
skilled in restoration-and pay his
price-or take a chance on doing it
yourself with the possibility of running
it-keep these things in mind. If it
is in good structural condition so that
you do not have to build new parts
If there is enough of it in perfect con-
dition so that you may have some
thing to observe and work from-and
if you are willing to spend the neces-
sary time and thought and study to do
the thing correctly, 60 ahead, if you
have the equipment. Otherwise, it
would be better to have the restora-
ton done at the cabinet makers shop
and indulge your own talents in refin-
ishing.
When you are ready to refinish
be sure that all the joints are tight,
all veneer patched and all breaks and
holes mended. These things are not
difficult If you are really interested
but they may be hopelessly bungled by
the person too much in a hurry to
be careful. A reclaimed piece will give
you as much Joy and service as the
perfect one-if not more. A friend Of
mine remarked. X think I get almost