BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 321 



for refinishing. In cases of bad discoloration a salsoda 

 solution may be used as a reviver, to be followed by sanding, 

 shellacking, rubbing, and varnish or wax. 



Refinishing. Refinishing of old paint surfaces involves the 

 removal of part or all of the old coating. Old paint or varnish 

 which shows a tendency to loosen or peel must be removed. 

 On exterior work this means the complete removal of all 

 finish, since it is impossible to apply the new coat over the 

 old where the old has been broken and peeled in spots. The 

 old paint may be removed by burning with a gasoline torch. 

 This process softens the paint, which may be immediately 

 scraped. The burning and scraping should be followed by 

 a stiff wire brush to remove all small loose particles. Inte- 

 rior finish and varnish may be removed in the same way, 

 although it is difficult to remove varnish with a torch without 

 discoloring the wood beneath. It is more satisfactory — 

 though much more expensive — to use a solvent on varnished 

 surfaces. As it is very expensive to remove old varnish, 

 it pays to apply none but the best and in the most 

 approved and workmanlike manner. Good varnish will not 

 crack or peel. When it is desired to revarnish, the old sur- 

 face may be washed and sanded, then one or two coats 

 applied. On floors it may be necessary to remove the old 

 varnish, but seldom on doors, casings, and other interior 

 woodwork. Such woodwork should, however, be cleaned 

 by means of wire wool dipped in turpentine and wiped dry. 



Whitewashing. Whitewash is applied in the same way as 

 paint. Lighthouse whitewash is used hot and the ordinary 

 kinds cold. 



Linoleum. A floor covering which may be used in place 

 of finished floors in some parts of the house — especially the 

 kitchen — and certain outbuildings, such as the shop, is lino- 

 leum. It is made in thicknesses up to % inch. Its compo- 

 sition is oil and a filling such as ground cork or waste linen 

 fiber. The better grades of linoleum are known as inlaid. 

 In these the color extends through the whole thickness and 



