SATIN FINISH.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 311, 24 October 1929, Page 1

SATIN FINISH.

The vogue for highly-polished furniture has disapepared except for pianos and similar instruments. The tendency now is rather towards a soft

surface, not altogether dull, but subdued. The i desirable “ satin ” finish ( may be prepared by varnishing the wood after filling and staining. A good, thin, transparent varnish is used. When the coat has dried, rub gently over it with a silk rubber, moistened with a fine paste of roten stone or pumice flour and raw linseed oil. Any desired degree of dullness will result from this rubbing. Finally the surface is gone over with a clean, dry silk or fine linen rubber. The wax finish, which is similar but somewhat brighter, may be given alone or over shellac, the second method being more lasting. After filling and staining, the work is sanded very finely, and then given two coats of shellac. The first coat is allowed a day to dry right through, and is then rubbed down with pumice. The second coat is applied and similarly treated, after which the surface is finished with any good wax polish. Beeswax and turpentine on hard wood give a very desirable finish, if applied directly after staining or fuming, but such a surface will not stand much handling, and is not recommended for chairs, tabletops, or sideboards. For occasional tables and the less frequently handled furniture, however, it is very good.