STAINS FOR RADIO CABINETS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 337, 24 April 1928, Page 16

STAINS FOR RADIO CABINETS

Many amateur woodworkers find it decidedly economical to construct their own cabinets, with the additional advantage of enabling them to choose their own design. The process of fin - ishing, however, presents the chief difficulty in most cases, particularly staining. I have always found that the simplest stains are the best. There

are varnish, stains —which are really varnish and stain mixed —which enable one to achieve two things in one operation, but it is not altogether satisfactory where really good results are desired.

Next, there is oil stain, that is, stain mixed in oil. This stain does not sink into the wood, but is more of a surface stain, and is somewhat messy in use. The best stain is undoubtedly plain water stain. In this case, the stain used is simply mixed with water to any desired shade or tint. Two of the best are logwood chips which are boiled down in water, and permanganate of potash, which is simply dissolved in water.

Both of these stains are obtainable from any good builders’ ironmonger. It must be remembered when using stain, however, that the tint is much lighter when dry than when freshly applied. Two coats or more may, of course, be given to obtain the desired effect, or for purposes of matching. Water stain applied must be allowed to thoroughly dry before applying further coats.