Millboard may be given the natural appearance of walnut by the following procedure. Mix dry yellow ochre in 1 part polish and 3 parts spirit; apply several coats till a solid groundwork is gained. If the boards are very porous, the first coating may be slue size and ochre. A brighter undercoat can be obtained by using lemon or orange chrome instead of ochre. Smooth down with worn glasspaper. Mix umber in polish and spirit; put in some figure; for darker tones add vandyke brown, or black and red. Thin out with spirit if too strong, or to gain gradations of tone; use a camel-hair brush. Stipple in some heart or wavy portions. It is a good plan to have at hand a badger softener or clean dusting brush: as the colours are laid on they may be blended together, or at least any harsh appearance removed, by brushing or stippling the colours whilst still wet with the badger or dusting brush. Finally, smooth down again lightly, then apply a coat of spirit varnish with a trace of red stain (Bismarck) added. A second coat may be applied after an interval of half an hour.

When dry, smooth down with glasspaper or pumice, then French polish or finish out with varnish.