3016. To Polish the Filling

3016.    To Polish the Filling. When sufficiently rubbed down with the pumice stone - that is to say, when it has been cut down to a fine, level, and uniform surface, (see No. 3015 (To Cut Down or Prepare the Surface for Polishing)), the work should stand for a day or two to harden. It will now depend entirely upon the work, as to whether it must be polished upon the filling, or whether it will have to be varnished and polished. If the filling be of the right color, and of one uniform tint, it is best to bo finished in this state, because it will have a surface and texture which cannot bo got by any other means. Finished in this state it has all the uniformity of surface and evidence of finish, without that appearance of varnish which is so objectionable. After it has stood a day or two, the work must be polished in this way: Take a clean felt and rotten stone, either in oil or water, and with this rub the work as before, until the polish begins to appear; then take a boss (i. e. a ball of cotton wool inclosed in fine silk), put the rotten stone upon this and keep rubbing with the circular motion until the polish is uniform and equal all over. The rotten stone must now bo carefully cleaned off; if it bo in oil, clean off with fine flour; if in water, with sponge and wash-leather and water, taking care not to scratch. A clean damp chamois or wash-leather will now bo required, which must bo held in the left hand, leaving the right perfectly at liberty. Now use the ball of the right hand, press gently upon the panel, and draw it forwards or towards you. If this be done properly, it will bring up a clear polish upon the work. The hand should be kept slightly damp by drawing it across the leather almost every time the hand is drawn forward. If this be done effectually, a rustling sound will bo produced while the hand is in motion; if this be so, the polish will bo sure to follow. The polish thus produced on the filling alone will have a beautiful soft appearance; but if the work has to be finished with a brilliant lustre, and to a high degree of polish, proceed as follows:

3017. To Finish Wood with a Brilliant Polish

3017. To Finish Wood with a Brilliant Polish. After being cut down with the pumice and felt as directed in No 3015, the filling has to be coated with two or more coats of the best polishing copal varnish, having a quantity of the best tube flake white; this should be mixed with the varnish in sufficient quantity to form a creamy mixture, with which the work must be coated - one, two, or three coats, as may be desirable. This should stand for 3 or 4 weeks, until it becomes hard; for the harder it is the better it will polish. It must then be cut down with felt and the finest ground pumice stone in water, and polished with the rotten stone, as before described. By this means a bright and brilliant polish may be obtained, of a very enduring nature. The same process will of course answer for all varnished imitations of woods and marbles, and all work which will admit of the application of oil varnishes.