When cupboards and pantries are to be painted, the first or priming coat should be applied to the bare wood and mixed with 2-3 turpentine and 1-3 oil. This will dry hard and can be sandpapered smooth. If two coats only are to be applied, the finishing coat should be mixed to dry hard and firm. If oil paint, it can be mixed to a good consistency with 2-3 oil and 1-3 turpentine and a small amount of good japan, or mix the desired color flat and use half color and half good-drying varnish. The paint should be of the same consistency as varnish. To this a further percentage of turpentine can be added to insure ease of working, or a small percentage of oil can be used, but not enough to cause the paint to dry tacky.

If three coats of oil paint are specified, the second coat should be of the same mixture as the primer, but of a heavier consistency. When hard, sandpaper and apply a coat of paint mixed with 2-3 oil and 1-3 turpentine. If sufficient time is allowed, this should dry firm and hard. If a varnish finish is desired, the finishing coat varnish color can be applied as recommended for two-coat work.

In painting the pantries, cupboards, etc., it is very essential that the doors and drawers should not be closed, so as to allow the paint drying hard. A free circulation of air is absolutely necessary.