To remove varnish from an oak carving a solution made as follows is used. Put equal parts of turpentine and methylated spirit into a stone jar and place the latter in a saucepan partly filled with water - glue-pot fashion. Put this in an oven and bring up to blood heat; then brush the solution over the carvings. As the varnish softens take it off with a nail brush. When all the varnish has been removed, apply several applications of oxalic acid - 2 oz. to 1 pt. of water. Swill off with plenty of clean water, and finally brush over with common malt vinegar to kill any trace of acid.