Hand Book 



How to Finish Arkansas Soft Pine 



Arkansas Soft Pine Is an Ideal wood for finishing, owing to Its fine texture and close grain. So pronounced Is 

 this grain that many successful reproductions of oak, mahogany and other effects can be obtained with it. It Is 

 also well adapted to white enamel finishing, as unlike some species of Pine, it absorbs the undercoating and enamel 

 evenly, giving a finish of mirror- like smoothness. Moreover, this wood positively will not discolor the enamel from 

 underneath. For this purpose, it is an unnecessary expenditure of money to use any more costly wood, as white 

 enamel hides the surface over which it is applied. As in the finishing of all woods, best results are secured only 

 by using the right stain, varnish or enamel. When quality materials are selected and carefully applied, the result 

 leaves little to be desired in beauty or permanency. 



NATURAL FINISH 



INTERIOR TRIM 



1 coat of Liquid Wood Filler. 



2 coats of Interior Trim Varnish. 



Left in gloss, rubbed dull or polished as desired. 



FLOORS 



8 coats of best Floor Varnish. 



EXTERIOR WORK 



1 coat of Floor Varnish. 



2 coata of Exterior Varnish. 



STAINED FINISHES WITH GLOSS VARNISH 



Oil Stains are best adapted to Arkansas Soft Pine In the following shades: Light Oak, Dark Oai, Weathered Oak, Cherry, 

 RoKwood. Walnut, Golden Oak, Forest Green, Antique, Mahogany and Dark Mahogany. Following are the specifications: 



INTERIOR TRIM 



1 coat of Oil Stain. 



1 coat of Liquid Wood Filler. 



2 coats of Interior Trim Varnish. 



Left in gloss, rubbed dull or polished as desired. 



FLOORS 



1 coat of Oil Stain. 



2 or 3 coats of Floor Varnish. 



EXTERIOR WORK 



1 coat of Oil Stain. 



1 coat of Floor Varnish. 



2 coats of Exterior Varnish. 



DULL VARNISH FINISH 



The following specification produces a dull, velvety finish, but 

 applies only to interior trim, as a Dull Varnish should not be 

 used on floors or exterior work. The Weathered Oak Stain i 

 almost always finished in this way. 



INTERIOR TRIM 



1 coat of Oil Stain. 



1 coat of Liquid Wood Filler. 



1 coat of Dull Varnish. 



SILVER GRAY EFFECT 



The popular Silver Gray effect requires special treatment, 

 differing from the other color effects, and Is best obtained with 

 an Acid Stain. Acid Stains are primarily intended for hard 

 woods and not for soft woods such as Arkansas Pine, but for 

 a Silver Gray Effect on Arkansas Pine there is no better method 

 than the specifications listed below. This specification Ik not 

 suitable for floors or exterior work. 



INTERIOR TRIM DULL VARNISH FINISH 



1 coat of Silver Gray Acid Stain. 

 1 coat of White Paste Filler. 

 1 coat of Shellac. 

 1 coat of Dull Varnich. 



ENAMEL FINISH 



In "enamel finishing particularly it is extremely Important 

 that all knots are given a thin coat of pure white shellac 

 before finishing. Where a dull finish is wanted without the 

 expense of nibbing use an "Egg--ghell" Enamel. 



INTERIOR TRIM 



1 coat of Pure White Lead mixed with equal parts of Linseed 



Oil and Turpentine, with a small amount of Dryer 

 added. 



2 coats of Enamel Undercoating. 

 2 coati of Enamel. 



Left In gloss or rubbed dull as desired. 



GENERAL DIRECTIONS 



PREPARATION OF SURFACE 



The surface for a varnish or enamel finish should be cleaned 

 and sandpapered smooth with No. or No. 00 Sandpaper. 

 Touch up any knots or sappy places with pure white Shellac. 

 Machine sanding Is always advised when possible. 



Apply evenly with a varnish brush. Allow 24 hours to dry. 

 Turpentine added to Oil Stains gives a lighter shade. Wiping 

 off an Oil Stain with a soft cloth about five minutes after it Is 

 applied also produces a lighter shade, and this is always done 

 with Antique, Weathered Oak and Golden Oak Stains, also for 

 a lighter shade of Forest Green. 



Before applying the Silver Gray Acid Stain the wood should 

 first be sponged with cold water and sandpapered when dry. 

 Also sandpapered again when the stain is dry, which is not 

 necessary when using an Oil Stain. Add water to make Silver 

 Gray Acid Stain lighter. 



HOW TO APPLY LIQUID WOOD FILLER, SHELLAC, 

 VARNISH AND ENAMEL 



Apply evenly with a varnish brush of a size adapted to the 

 work In hand. Allow Shellac and Liquid Wood Filler 24 hours 

 to dry; Floor Varnish and Interior Trim Varnish 48 hours. 

 Allow Exterior Varnish 4 days to dry, as well as the final coat 

 of Interior Trim Varnish when it is to be rubbed or polished. 

 Sandpaper each coat of Liquid Wood Filler, Shellac or Varnish 

 when dry before applying the next coat, with No. 00 or No. 

 Sandpaper. 



HOW TO OBTAIN A RUBBED OR POLISHED FINISH 



To rub Varnish to a dull finish use a piece of rubbing felt 

 about four inches square dipped alternately in finely pulverized 

 pumice stone and crude oil or pulverized pumice stone 

 and water. For a very dull finish use hair cloth or 

 curled hair, crude oil and a coarse grade of pumice stone. 

 When oil is used, after the gloss is thoroughly removed the 

 work should be wiped off with clean, soft cloths or cotton 

 waste. When water is used, the surface should be washed 

 with water and dried with a chamois skin, then oiled off with 

 linseed or rubbing oil used sparingly on a soft cloth or cotton 

 waste. The water rub method Is the only one suitable for 

 rubbing White Enamel. 



For a polished finish carry out the water rub method to the 

 point of oiling off, then rub with rotten stone and oil or rotten 

 stone and water. Where rotten stone and water is used, finally 

 apply a little rotten stone to the palm of the hand, bringing up 

 the high polish by the friction of the hand. After the surface 

 has been polished, oil off In the same manner as described above 

 for the water rub finish. 



COVERING CAPACITIES 



Liquid Wood Filler and Stains about 500 square feet pr 

 gallon; Varnish, Shellac and Enamel about 600 square feet per 

 gallon. 



HOW TO REFINI8H OLD WORK 



If in good condition, clean and sandpaper and apply a coat 

 or two of varnish; if in bad condition, or it is desired to stain 

 a different color, remove the varnish with varnish remover and 

 finish as for new wood. The old finish need not be removed 

 where enamel is to be applied, but preliminary touching up of 

 all chipped places with the enamel or paint is desirable before 

 giving the entire surface the first coat. 



NOTE We are indebted to Pratt & Lambert, Inc., the well-known varnish makers for the above specifications and directions. 

 They will be glad to answer any questions regarding the finishing of Arkansas Soft Pine. Address the Advisory Department, Pratt 

 & Lambert, Inc., 75-97 Tonawanda Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 



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