Wood Finishing. In the following brief treatment of wood finishing will be found suggestions regarding methods and processes which may be applied in finishing the models of this chapter. The workman may mix his own fillers, stains, etc., but he will generally find it easier and more satisfactory to purchase such material, made by some responsible manufacturer.

Filling: After the model has been completed, it should be made ready for the finish by filling the grain. If an open-grained wood similar to oak is to receive a shellac finish, it should first be well filled, after which as good a job may be done with two or three coats of shellac as with.six or more without the filling. Filling is made in two forms: the paste, for use upon open-grained woods, and the liquid, which is intended for use upon such woods as pine, poplar, cherry, maple, etc., and which will take the place of one or more coats of the more expensive finish. Both these may be bought ready mixed, and colored to suit the taste by the addition of dry colors; or the paste may be mixed, by combining either whiting, silex, or corn starch, with any dry colors necessary to secure the desired color. To hold or bind these together, they should be mixed with equal quantities of boiled linseed oil and japan, and the whole thinned to a working consistency by the addition of turpentine, benzine, or gasoline, though the paste should be as thick as is practicable with its spreading well.

Filling need not be spread very smoothly, but the surface of the wood should be covered, and the filling thoroughly worked into the grain. It should then be allowed to stand a few minutes until the filler has become powdery, and seems to stick to the wood when rubbed with the finger. It may then be rubbed off with soft shavings or excelsior, the rubbing crossing the grain whenever possible. Finish it with a soft cloth. The inside corners should be cleaned out with a sharp-pointed stick. Allow the work to stand several hours or overnight before the finish is applied; otherwise the moisture in the filling may cause the finish to blister. Liquid filling should be spread as smoothly and evenly as possible, or the laps will be apt to show when the finish is spread over it.