Lacquers are used upon polished metals and wood to impart the appearance of gold. As they are wanted of different depths and shades of color, it is. best to keep a concentrated solution of each coloring ingredient ready, so that it may at any time be added to produce any desired tint.

Lacquer should always stand till it is quite fine, before it is used.

3046. To Lacquer Brass Work

3046.     To Lacquer Brass Work. If the work is old, clean it first, according to the directions hereafter given; but if new,' it will merely require to be freed from dust, and rubbed with a piece of wash-leather, to make it as bright as possible. Put the work on a hot iron plate (or upon the top of tho stove), till it is moderately heated, but not too hot, or it will blister the lacquer; then, according to the color desired, take of the following preparations, and, making it warm, lay hold of the work with a pair of pincers or pliers, and with a soft brush apply the lacquer, being careful not to rub it on, but stroke the brush gently one way, and place the work on the hot plate again till the varnish is hard; but do not let it remain too long. Experience will best tell you when it should be removed. Some, indeed, do not place it on the stove or plate a second time. If it should not be quite covered, you may repeat it carefully; and, if pains be taken with the lacquer, it will look equal to metal gilt.

3047. To Clean Old Brass Work for Lacquering

3047.    To Clean Old Brass Work for Lacquering. Make a strong lye of wood-ashes, which may be strengthened by soap-lees; put in the brass - work, and the lacquer will soon come off; then have ready a mixture of aquafortis and water, sufficiently strong to take off the dirt; wash it afterwards in clean water, and lacquer it with such of the following compositions as may be most suitable to the work.

3048. To Make Gold Lacquer for Brass

3048.      To Make Gold Lacquer for Brass. Rectified spirits of wine, 1/2 pint; mix i pound of seed-lac, picked clean, and clear of all pieces (as upon that depends the beauty of the lacquer) with the spirits of wine; keep them in a warm place, and shake them repeatedly. When the seed-lac is quite dissolved, it is fit for use.

3049. Gold Lacquer

3049.    Gold Lacquer. Put into a clean four gallon tin, 1 pound ground turmeric, 11/2 ounces powdered gamboge, 31/2 ounces powdered gum-sandarach, | pound shellac, and 2 gallons spirits of wine. After being agitated, dissolved, and strained, add 1 pint of turpentine varnish, well mixed.

3050. Gold Colored Lacquer for Watch Keys, Etc

3050. Gold Colored Lacquer for Watch Keys, Etc. Seed-lac, 6 ounces; amber, 2 ounces; gamboge, 2 ounces; extract of red sandal wood in water, 24 grains; dragon's blood, GO grains; oriental saffron, 36 grains; pounded glass, 4 ounces; pure alcohol, 36 ounces. The seed-lac, amber, gamboge, and dragon's blood must be pounded very fine on porphyry or clean marble, and mixed with the pounded glass. Over this mixture is poured the tincture formed by infusing the saffron and the extract of sandal wood in the alcohol for 24 hours. Metal articles that are to be covered with this varnish are heated, and, if they are of a kind to admit of it, are immersed in packets. The tint of the varnish may bo varied in any degree required, by altering the proportions of the coloring quantities according to circumstances.