Improved Process for Ornamenting Finished Wood Surfaces.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process for Ornamenting Finished Wood Surfaces.
We, ADOLPH WILCKE and ADOLPH KARPAN, both of 154-155, Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., Manufacturers, do hereby declaro the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
In this invention finished-varnished for instance-wood surfaces are first covered
evenly with a sticky substance which will not readily dry and upon this is laid a
stencil of suitable design. The exposed portion of the sticky substance is then
cleaned away and an acid applied to eat away the varnished surface which is
unprotected by the stencil. The background thus formed is then thoroughly cleaned
and colouring matter applied to show up the design. When the colouring matter is
perfectly dry the stencil is removed and the remainder of the sticky substance
removed without injuring the varnished surface.
Dated this 15th day of October 1897.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process for Ornamenting Finished Wood Surfaces.
We, ADOLPH WILCKE and ADOLPH KARPAN, both of 154-155, Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
--
This invention has for object to provide a means for ornamenting, in imitation of
inlaid work, completely finished wood surfaces. By the term "completely finished"
Ol' "finished" surfaces any kind of wood surface is included whether varnished or
polished.
Heretofore it has been customary to ornament the panels of pianos and other
superior kinds of furniture by engraving, inlaying, carving or scroll sawing. This
class of work is very expensive and tedious and when the design is cut in bas relief

page_text: the background cannot be smoothly and evenly finished owing to the difficulty in
obtaining a perfectly smooth wood surface whore the same is cut away.
The process of the invention consists in first producing a stencil in thin sheet
metal with the design to be placed upon the wood surface and which is to remain
in relief upon the panel.
The finished varnished for instance-wood surfaces to be ornamented are first
covered evenly with a sticky substance which will never dry, but which has sufficient
adhesiveness to hold any thin material pressed upon it, to the wood. A suitable
compound for this sticky or adhesive material may be made by mixing
The "finished" surface is evenly covered with the sticky compound thus formed
and the stencil preferably made of tin foil is applied to the surface thus prepared
and rolled down with a rubber or other roller so that it is held in position by means
of the adhesive material.
A
The exposed portion of the adhesive material used for fixing the stencil is then
removed by rubbing a powder of any suitable kind, plaster of Paris being preferred,
over the entire surface of stencil. The powder absorbs and removes the adhesive
material from those parts of the finished surface exposed by the stencil whilst no
free space is left between the stencil and the surface underneath the same.
mixture, which will eat away the varnish is then applied to the entire surface of
the panch, thus eating away the portions unprotected by the stencil. The adhesive
substance between the panel and the stencil prevents any of the mixtaro from
reaching the finished surface underneath the stencil, thus insuring a clear cut design
corresponding exactly with the stencil.
The mixture used to cat away the varnish or polish as described above is oil of tar,
being a product of illuminating gas, or oil of parafine, being a distillation of coal tar
mixed with other ingredients in the following proportions :—
"
The finished" surface is evenly covered with the sticky compound thus formed
and the stencil preferably made of tin foil is applied to the surface thus prepared
and rolled down with a rubber or other roller so that it is held in position by means
of the adhesive material.
The exposed portion of the adhesive material used for fixing the stencil is then
removed by rubbing a powder of any suitable kind, plaster of Paris being preferred,
over the entire surface of stencil. The powder absorbs and removes the adhesive
material from those parts of the finished surface exposed by the stencil whilst no
free space is left between the stencil and the surface underneath the same. A
mixture, which will eat away the varnish is then applied to the entire surface of
the panel, thus eating away the portions unprotected by the stencil. The adhesive
substance between the panel and the stencil prevents any of the mixture from
reaching the finished surface underneath the stencil, thus insuring a clear cut design
corresponding exactly with the stencil.
The mixture used to cat away the varnish or polish as described above is oil of tar,
being a product of illuminating gas, or oil of parafine, being a distillation of coal tar
mixed with other ingredients in the following proportions :—
Oil of tar or oil of parafine 1 part
Fusel oil
Wood Alcohol
5 parts.
paris.
When the mixture has loosened the varnish or polish the whole is brushed
out with a little benzine leaving the clean wood surface exposed which forms a
perfectly smooth back-ground to receive the design. The back-ground may be
left the natural colour of the wood or coloured according to taste. The stencil
is then carefully removed, after the colouring matter if any is used is quite dry,
and the adhesive material left clinging to the panel has then also to be
removed. Great care is necessary in removing the adhesive material in order
that the high polish of the surface may not be damaged. It may be removed by the
application of plaster of l'aris as before or by French chalk. Either of these
powders should be applied as lightly as possible."
By this process a very beautiful and clear cut design is obtained at smaller
expense than the most ordinary hand cut design can now be produced, and any
number of exact duplicates can be made. The process is designed, for reproducing
a certain design upon a large number of surfaces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the samo is to be performed, we declaro that what wo
claim is :-
The process of ornamenting finished wood surfaces which consists in first applying
a stencil to such surface by means of a non-drying adhesive substance, applying a

page_text: mixture to the portions of the surface unprotected by the stencil, cleaning such
unprotected portion of the surface, applying colouring matter thereto and then
removing the stencil and the adhesive substance from the remaining finished surface
of the wood, substantially as described and shewn.
Daiad this 5th day of Janua 1909
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.