250 JAPANNING, 



When the work is so prepared, or by the priming 

 with the composition of size and whiting above 

 described, the proper japan ground must be 

 laid on, which is much the best formed of shell- 

 lac varnish, and the colour desired, except white, 

 which requires a peculiar treatment ; and if bright- 

 ness be wanted, then also other means must be 

 pursued. 



The colours used with the shell-lac varnish may 

 be any pigments whatever which give the tint of 

 the ground desired. 



As metals never require to be under-coated 

 with whiting, they may be treated in the same 

 manner as wood or leather. 



White Japan Grounds. 



The difficulty of forming a ground that shall be 

 at the same time hard and white, arises from there 

 being no substance that will form a very hard var- 

 nish, and yet have no colour. The best is made as 

 follows : Mix flake white, or white lead, with one- 

 sixth of its weight of starch, and dry the mixture, 

 and temper it with mastich varnish. Lay this on the 

 substance to be japanned, with or without the under 

 coat of whiting; then varnish it with five or six 

 coats of a varnish made by dissolving two ounces 

 of picked lac, and three ounces of gum animi, in a 

 a quart of spirit of wine, straining off the clear 

 varnish. 



A very good varnish, free from all brittleness, 

 may be formed, by dissolving as much gum animi 

 as the oil will take, in old nut, or poppy oil, boiled 

 gently, when the gum is put into it. The ground 

 of white colour may be laid on in this varnish, and 

 then a coat or two may be put over the ground: 



