To prepare rough cut deal, ash, open grain oak, or stone, for gilding, give a couple of coats of French polish and spirit varnish in equal parts, or two coats of patent knotting, then gold size in the usual manner. Japan gold size sometimes works cloggy in fine lettering. When working indoors at fine gold lettering on a black ground, if the Japan size be stood in a jar of hot water it keeps fluid and works extremely well, setting quickly when once on the work. It must not be too hot. A pot may be filled with hot water and the size in a smaller pot stood in it.