This section is from the "Encyclopedia Of Practical Receipts And Processes" book, by William B. Dick. Also available from Amazon: Dick's encyclopedia of practical receipts and processes.
2917. White Varnish. Sandarach, 8 ounces; mastich, 2 ounces; Canada balsam, 4 ounces; alcohol, 1 quart. Used on paper, wood, or linen.
2918. Best White Hard Varnish. Rectified spirits of wine, 1 quart; gum sandarach, 10 ounces; gum mastich, 2 ounces; gum anime, 1/2 ounce; dissolve these in a clean can, or bottle, in a warm place, frequently shaking it. When the gum is dissolved, strain it through a lawn sieve, and it is fit for use.
2919. Mordant, or Transfer Varnish. Mastich in tears, 61/2 ounces; resin, 12£ ounces; pale Venice turpentine (genuine) and sandarach, of each 25 ounces; alcohol, 5 pints; dissolve as before. Used for fixing engravings or lithographs on wood, and for gilding, silvering, etc.. (See No. 2928 (Transfer Varnish).)
2920. Map Varnish is prepared by pulverizing 1 ounce sandarach, 1/4 ounce mastich, 1/4 ounce elemi, dissolving them in 1/2 ounce of Venice turpentine, and adding to it a solution of 4 ounces shellac, and 3 ounces oil of lavender, in 12 ounces alcohol. (See No. 2935 (French Transparent Colorless Varnish).)
2921. Canada Varnish. Clear balsam of Canada, 4 ounces; camphene, 8 ounces; warm gently, and shake together till dissolved. For maps, drawings, etc., they are first sized over with a solution of isinglass, taking care that every part is covered; when dry, the varnish is brushed over it.
2922. Collodion Varnish. The addition of l part castor oil to 32 parts collodion, makes a good varnish; it dries rapidly and does not penetrate the paper. This varnish will do very well for coating maps, lists, labels, etc., and it will keep for years. If, after a repeated coating, white spots should appear, moisten them with ether, and they will vanish instantly.
2923. Varnish to Imitate the Chinese. Put 4 ounces powdered gum-lac, with a piece of camphor about the size of a hazelnut, into a strong bottle, with 1 pound good spirits of wine. Shake the bottle from time to time, and set it over some hot embers to mix for 24 hours, if it be in winter; in summer time it may be exposed to the sun. Pass the whole through a fine cloth, and throw away what remains upon it. Let it settle for 24 hours; separate gently the clear part in the upper part of the bottle, and put into another phial; the remains will serve for the first layers or coatings.
2924. Varnish for Drawings and Lithographs. Take of dextrine, 2 parts; alcohol, 1/2 part; water, 2 parts. These should be prepared previously with 2 or 3 coats of thin starch or rice boiled and strained through a cloth. (See No. 2927 (De Sylvestre's Dextrine Varnish).)
 
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