For soft and close grained woods and on work where labor and material must be minimized, where cost is an object, and little sand papering or rubbing is to be done, liquid wood filler takes the place of paste filler.

Such ready-for-use fillers are usually so prepared as to save a coat of varnish and with this object in view, the liquid portion is, essentially, a quick drying varnish to which sufficient transparent white pigment is added to properly fill the grain of the wood.

The filler should be so prepared as to work smoothly under the brush, without pulling. It should be light in color, and comparatively transparent, so as not to discolor or mar the natural beauty of the wood. It should spread well, without showing laps and, in fact, possess the general characteristics of a varnish. It must be of fair body, and stand out well on the surface of the work to which it is applied. If the price admits, it should be composed of a varnish which will not turn white when exposed to dampness and, finally, the pigment should be of such nature that it will not shrink, which excludes the use of starch or vegetable matter of that nature.

When a smooth, unctuous pigment like clay is used, the working qualities of the filler is much improved. The pigment should not bake or settle hard in the can.

Such filler is made by mixing together 4 parts of a pale varnish, 1 part of turpentine or benzine, and 1-2 part of pale liquid dryer. To each gallon of the liquid so prepared, add and mix thoroughly, 2 pounds of talc, china clay or silex.

The quality and cost of the filler will depend! upon the quality of varnish used.

For cheap work, a liquid may be substituted, composed of 9 parts of gloss oil or pale rosin varnish and 1 part of raw linseed oil, together with 1-2 part of pale cheap dryer. To 4 parts of this varnish mixture, add 1 part of benzine in place of turpentine and to each gallon use the same amount of pigment as in the first formula. The amount of pigment may be modified also.

A good, serviceable liquid wood filler is made as follows:

7 gallons of Pale varnish (quick drying),

1-2 gallon, Boiled linseed oil,

1-2 gallon, Pale liquid dryer,

1 gallon, Turpentine,

15 pounds, China clay, (perfectly dry),

1-4 gallon of Solution No. 1, or No. 2 given under ready mixed paints.

The addition of the solution is not necessary, but will prevent the pigment from settling so readily in the bottom of the can and the filler will require less stirring, enabling a more uniform coat to be applied.

Some fillers contain powdered pumice. Such a pigment is rather a disadvantage, in that it prevents the filler working smoothly and tends to leave the work rough, thus requiring more sand papering.

Liquid filler and stain combined is made by adding to the transparent or light liquid filler suitable pigments, the same in kind and amount as directed in the production of varnish or oil stains, or, by adding to the varnish stains, 1 1-2 lbs. of pigment to each gallon of stain.