It a mail cart is to be re-varnished only, provided it is in good condition, and is not cracked on the surface, a flatting with pumice powder and water should suffice previous to the varnish being applied; and if a second coat is given, the first coat should stand two or three days to get hard, and be only lightly flatted down to remove any nibs that there may be on the surface.

If the cart has to be painted, well glasspaper all over, and give two coats of lead colour, stopping up any holes, etc., between the first and second coats. The ground colour should then be put on, giving two or three coats as required. The first coat should be made to dry fairly sharp, the second coat medium, the third coat being made as a glaze, by adding about half of varnish to some of the colour. This coat will require flatting as previously described, after which the lining out is done and the whole thoroughly washed off and given a full coat of varnish. To make a good job, pale carriage varnish should be used, as oak varnish turns the colour.