Evening star., 1948-08-27
REF1N1sH1NG FURNITURE.


(Front Mrs. D. E. P, Springfield, Va
To Mrs. L. M. B., Alexandria: Just
year ago I cleaned of and ref1n
ished a three-piece poster bedroom
suite. I did such nice job Of it that
every one who has seen 1t says I
should follow 1t as business. Per-
haps what I did will do as much for
your dining room suite.
First Of all clean of all the old
furniture with a paint and varnish
remover. After you have done this
sand the furniture with medium
sandpaper, then clean off with tur-
pentine to be sure there is no paint
remover on the furniture.
When this is done you are ready
to redress your furniture to any
kind of finish you like. In doing
this don't use varnish stain, but do
use an oil stain. This is put on and
left for a few minutes, then wiped
off with a cloth. You can have as
dark or light finish as you desire
by the amount of time you allow
this to dry.
The next step is to apply a coat
Of clear shellac. You do this to fill
the pores and to have a nice finish
when you varnish. This only needs
to dry for about Is minutes to a
half hour. then you are ready to
varnish. Use high-grade mar-not
varnish, which can be bought at q
good paint store. You will only need
one coat of varnish and you will
have wonderful finish. Now II
you'd like your table top to have a
fairly heavy finish, use about three
coats of varnish, then after the last
Is dry use good wax on 1t. You will
find this will keep it from getting
marked by hot dishes. I'm sure If
you follow these instructions you
will have good luck and some
mighty nice looking furniture when
you get through. I'm proud of mine.
+ From H. Y. S., Bethesda.)
Choose a bright sunny day and
work outdoors but not on grass. Tie
on q gauze mask and wear rubber
gloves and old clothes. You will
need about two or five dish mops,
q large bottle Of household ammonia
and plenty Of water. Mop on am
monia, full strength. Let stand a
few minutes and rinse off with a
hose. Repeat. With coarse steel
wool, rub with the grain. Change
to fine wool. Use either CONNER
cial wood bleach or oxalic solution,
only enough water to take up the
acid. Mop on with fresh mop and
let stand overnight. Flush OF.
Now-when furniture dries, check
for any old varnish spots and re-
move with wool.
| Either rotten stone or powdered
pumice may be used to finish up.
Dip old woolen rag (old pants are
good for this) into turpentine then
into powder. Rub vigorously until
satin smooth Wipe off with clean
cloths dipped in turpentine.
In a double boiler heat linseed oil
| to boiling, remove from stove and
add half as much turpentine as oil
Add a little at a time, any oil color
ing desired, walnut maple, etc. Rub
on with a wool cloth while oil mix
ture is hot Repeat every day until
you have the depth of color desired,
then repeat once a month. This
finish is beautiful and can't be
harmed by scratches, liquids or heat.
The marks will be there but are
quickly removed with the oil and
vigorous rubbing.
\
QUERY?
(Fron, Mrs. E. H. ~, Alerdndria.J
twas very much interested in Mrs.
w. E. P.is remarks concerning the
Human Engineering Laboratory at
Philadelphia whereby ones true abil-
titles are discerned. Does any one
know of such place in Washing
| ton?
PLANT EXCHANGE?
from Mrs. J. c. E., Falls Church,
Does any one living in Falls Church
have plants to get rid Of this fall TO
share with me? I will gladly call
for them. Please write to me in
care Of RCH.