Kefinishing Furniture

PREPARING SURFACES

Apply a good commercial paint
remover to the old finish. Leave
on for ten minutes or until the
old finish is softened. A second
or even a third application may
be necessary in order to remove
all traces of the old varnish. Next,
wash the wood with a brush and
very hot soap suds. Rinse with
warm water and a soft cloth until
the soapy water is washed off.
At no time allow the wood to
become soaking wet. Note: Be
sure to wear gloves while using
the paint remover. Then sand

the furniture with a fine sand-
paper until it is very smooth.
Dust it with another cloth and
then you are ready for the new
finish.

BLEACHED FINISH

A half pound of oxalic acid
crystals to a gallon of water is
the right proportion for a wood
bleach. You may get the crystals
at a paint or drug store. Apply
the bleach with a cheap brush
and leave on until the wood is as
light as you wish it. Additional
coats will make the wood lighter.

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After the wood bleaches, rinse
off with clear water and dry with
a soft cloth. If you are not sure
of having removed all the bleach,
use a coat of alcohol over the
wood.

LIMED FINISH

Bleach as above. Then apply
a coat of thin, flat white paint
and wipe off all except that which
remains in the grain.

OTHER FINISHES

If you do not wish the light
finishes above, stain the wood the
desired color and then follow the
finishing below.

FINAL FINISHING

Ordinary Finish

For this final finish, use a white
shellac applied as evenly as pos-
sible. When it is thoroughly dry
rub down with a cloth dipped in
a paste of rottenstone and linseed
oil until the finish is perfectly
smooth. Wipe clean, and apply
a good paste wax.

French Polish Finish

This is quite difficult to do but
it gives a lovely finish. Dilute
white shellac to a watery consist-
ency with alcohol, and brush it
all over the wood surfaces. When
dry, apply one or several coats of
wax, rubbing into a soft patina.

NOTES

@ Be sure to start your opera-
tions in a place which will not
be harmed by the splashings of
either the soap suds or acid. If
you are planning to bleach sev-
eral pieces, it is desirable to work
in the basement or out-of-doors.
Wear gloves and buy some cheap
brushes as the bleach will even-
tually eat the hairs away.