A cheap burnisher to put a glassy surface on photographs consists of a steel bar and a ribbed roller rotated by a handle; the lubricator is made by dissolving about 20 gr. of Castile soap in 6oz. of methylated spirit. The soap may be used dry, but gives then rather more trouble. Even with a lubricator there is great liability of scratching. When marks are detected the roller must be removed, and the bar, when cool, rubbed from end to end with fine emery-paper on a strip of wood. To use the burnisher, the bar is heated, by gas preferably to spirit, till a spot of water touched on the side hisses faintly. For gelatine prints the bar must be much cooler. See that the bar and roller are parallel and at sufficient distance apart by passing through a useless print. When the card passes through just easily, without strain, insert one end of the photograph and immediately wind it through without hesitation. The slightest stop will make a dented line, which is difficult to remove. The handle must be started from such a position that it may be taken round with one continual sweep. As the picture passes, the ends are lifted slightly to impart the least possible curl backwards. A better effect is obtained if the picture is passed through from side to side rather than end to end.

The film of the photograph goes against the steel roller. The photograph should not be bone dry, but, if too damp, it may blister. A certain amount of polish may be obtained by rubbing with encaustic paste, or even with white curd soap, and polishing with an old silk handkerchief. Gelatine prints are polished by drying in contact with glass, but this does not permit of their being worked up.