2198. Fine Stuff for Plastering

2198.    Fine Stuff for Plastering. This is made by slacking lime with a small portion of water, after which sufficient water is added to give it the consistence of cream. It is then allowed to settle for some time, and the superfluous water is poured off, and the sediment suffered to remain till evaporation reduces it to a proper thickness for use. For some kinds of work it is necessary to add a small portion of hair.

2199. Stucco for Inside of Walls

2199.     Stucco for Inside of Walls. This stucco consists of 3 parts fine stuff (see No. 2198 (Fine Stuff for Plastering)) and 1 part fine washed sand. Those parts of interior walls which are intended to be painted are finished with this stucco. In using this material, great care must be taken that the surface be perfectly level, and to secure this it must be well worked with a floating tool or wooden trowel. This is done by sprinkling a little water occasionally on the stucco, and rubbing it in a circular direction with the float, till the surface has attained a high gloss. The durability of the work much depends upon how it is done, for if not thoroughly worked it is apt to crack.

2200. Gauge Stuff

2200.     Gauge Stuff. This is chiefly used for mouldings and cornices which are run or formed with a wooden mould. It consists of about 1/5 plaster of Paris, mixed gradually with 4/5 fine stuff. (See No. 2198 (Fine Stuff for Plastering).) When the work is required to set very expeditiously, the proportion of plaster of Paris is increased. It is often necessary that the plaster to be used should have the property of setting immediately it is laid on, and in all such cases gauge stuff is used, and consequently it is extensively employed for cementing ornaments to walls or ceilings, as well as for casting the ornaments themselves.

2201. Higgins' Stucco

2201.    Higgins' Stucco. To 15 pounds best stone lime add 14 pounds bone ashes, finely powdered, and about 95 pounds clean, washed sand, quite dry, either coarse or fine, according to the nature of the work in hand. These ingredients must be intimately mixed, and kept from the air till wanted. When required for use, it must be mixed up into a proper consistence for working with lime water, and used as speedily as possible.

2202. Durable Composition for Ornaments

2202.    Durable Composition for Ornaments. This is frequently used, instead of plaster of Paris, for the ornamental parts of buildings, as it is more durable, and becomes in time as hard as stone itself. It is of great use in the execution of the decorative parts of architecture, and also in the finishings of picture frames, being a cheaper method than carving, by nearly 80 per cent. It is made as follows: 2 pounds best whitening, 1 pound glue, and 1/2 pound linseed oil are heated tegether, the composition being continually stirred until the different substances are thoroughly incorporated. Let the compound cool, and then lay it on a stone covered with powdered whitening, and heat it well until it becomes of a tough and firm consistence. It may then be put by for use, covered with wet cloths to keep it fresh. When wanted for use it must be cut into pieces adapted to the size of the mould, into which it is forced by a screw press. The ornament, or cornice, is fixed to the frame or wall with glue, or with white lead.