This section is from the book "Practical Hints For Furniture Men", by John Phin. Also available from Amazon: Hints And Practical Information For Cabinet-Makers, Upholsterers, And Furniture Men.
Mix together with heat, white wax and spirits of turpentine to the consistency of thick paste; when cold, apply it to the work with a rag; rub on heavily so as to fill the pores of the wood; remove all wax from the surface with a wooden scraper made in the shape of a carpenter's chisel; smooth off with a bunch of soft rags by rubbing hard and quick for a few minutes; finish with a little French polish applied with a cotton pad. (See French Polish.) For table tops and all large flat surfaces, allow the wax to remain on and finish with a warm iron by passing it lightly and quickly over the work until the wax is made smooth and the surface is sufficiently polished. This is not considered a desirable finish, as it is not durable and water spots it very easily.
Use the light colored filler, named under head of FILLERS. Apply three coats of white shellac; rub down with pumice-stone and oil; clean up with brown japan and spirits of turpentine mixed. Varnish-polish the panels.
 
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