Towel rails are usually finished in imitation pine or mahogany. For pine, mix a small quantity of raw sienna with stale beer or vinegar; apply with a brush, rubbing well into all quirks, and wipe off the surplus with clean rag. For mahogany, use burnt sienna. When dry, rub smooth with coarse rag or fine glasspaper. Then coat several times with spirit varnish applied with a camel-hair brush. A more intense red may be gained by adding one pennyworth of Bismarck brown to each pint of varnish. A suitable varnish consists of methylated spirit, lpt.; shellac, 4 oz.; resin, 2 oz.; and gum sandarach, 2oz. Dissolve in gentle heat, and carefully strain.