Violin Varnish

The Scientific American gives the following formula for preparing a beautiful varnish for violins : Rectified alcohol, half gallon; add six ounces gum sandarac, three ounces gum mastic, and half a pint turpentine varnish; put the above in a tin can by the stove, frequently shaking until well dissolved. Strain and keep for use. If you find it harder than you wish, thin with more turpentine varnish.

Imitating Mahogany

When curly-veined birch and beech have been regularly brushed with aquafortis and dried at the fire, they both look remarkably like mahogany. A decoction of logwood and fustic, when put on in a tepid state, produces a similar effect. The French mode consists in brushing the white timber with a dilute solution of nitrous acid; it is then coated once or twice with finishing spirit, in which a quantity of carbonate of soda and dragon's-blood has been dissolved, the proper proportions to 1 gill of spirit being 3/4 of an ounce of the soda, and 1/4 of an ounce of the blood; the wood is afterwards finished with varnish or polish of a reddish-brown tint. In producing this shade of color, London stainers frequently use a rich brownish-red kind of chalk, the color of which is analogous to that of fine Spanish mahogany. It is commonly applied in the form of a dry powder, by means of a brush, and then well rubbed with another brush or coarse flannel.

How To Stain Beech A Mahogany Color

Put 2 oz. of dragon's-blood, broken in pieces, into a quart of rectified spirits of wine; let the bottle stand in a warm place, shake it frequently; when dissolved it is fit for use.

Imitation Of Mahogany

Plane the surface smooth, and rub with a solution of nitrous acid. Then apply with a soft brush one ounce of dragon's-blood dissolved in about a pint of alcohol, and with 1/3 of an ounce of carbonate of soda mixed and filtered. When the brilliancy of the polish diminishes, it may be restored by the use of a little cold-drawn linseed-oil.

Bronzing Inlaid. Work

A method used for decorating inlaid work is the use of a bronzing liquid, which consists of a fluid bronze composition formed by combining metallic powder of gilding and bronze powder with collodion, which composition is Capable of being applied as a bronze liquid to surfaces of wood, iron, or any solid material, for the purpose of coating the same for decoration or preservation.

How To Imitate King Or Botany Bay Wood

Boil 1/2, lb. French berries in 2 quarts of water till of a deep yellow, and while boiling hot give two or three coats; when nearly dry, form the grain with black stain, which must also be used hot. For variety, to heighten the color, after giving it two or three coats of yellow, give one of strong logwood liquor, and then use the black stain as directed.

Black Stain

Boil 1 lb. of lowood in 4 quarts of water, add a double handful of walnut peels or shells; boil it up again, take out the chips, add a pint of the best vinegar, and it will be fit for use; apply it boiling. This will be improved, if, when dry, a solution of green copperas, an ounce to a. quart of water, is applied hot over the first stain.