Paragraph 59. One important point in producing a fine finish is to have the materials in good condition. No one can produce satisfactory finishes with dirty, stiff brushes, and finishing materials which have been exposed to dirt and dust. All finishing materials should be kept carefully closed. Bottles and cans of paint should always be closed as nearly air tight as possible when not in use. Brushes should be kept in some sort of liquid which would keep them soft. Shellac brushes may be cleaned in alcohol. Brushes may be kept in fairly good condition by keeping them in a can of water. It is not satisfactory to leave the brushes where they will dry and become hard, for they are thus not fit for use. When you are through using a brush and do not expect to use it soon again the best plan is to wash it in warm water and soap, then allow it to dry with the hairs straight, and it will be in good condition the next time it is needed.

All rub rags and papers which are covered with finishing materials should be gathered up and burned immediately after you are through with them. It is unsafe to throw dirty rub rags on the floor or in a corner somewhere and leave them. They are quite likely to take fire by what is called spontaneous combustion. So always gather and throw your rub rags into the stove or furnace or put them somewhere out of the way where they will not set fire to a building. This may seem like a small point but it is extremely important.

There should be some place in your manual training shop where you have a rack, table or safe for all staining materials. The staining and filling should be done at this staining table or staining rack. There should be separate places for all materials and they should always be kept in their proper places. A brush which is intended for one color should not be used in another color. The shellac brush should not be dipped into the stain. By having your staining and filling apparatus properly cared for you will be able to do this work without any difficulty.