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Show Doing Over Old Furniture "What a beautiful old secretary I Where did you find it?" exclaimed an evening caller. 'Ticked it up in a second-hand shop," proudly responded the host, a lover of antiques. "Paid only $12 for it." Then, as the caller opened an astounded mouth, he added, ruefully: "But it cost me $60 to have it done over." We all know of the treasures in old mahogany, rosewood, and black walnut that may be found lurking in dim old shops, in ancient houses and barns, and that may be bought for a song. But we also know that we sing a different dif-ferent tune when we learn what it will cost us to have these beautiful pieces put into shape for our living rooms. Very often they have been painted or varnished at some time in their careers, and the surface is blistered, crackled and muddy. If we are willing to give the time and effort to the job, however, we can do over these rare treasures ourselves, not only saving much money but having the joy of seeing the true grain of the wood come out in a soft satin sheen. First of all, apply to the wood a coat (possibly two) of a good varnish remover. re-mover. Carefully scrape this off with a putty knife or blunt edged tool. I have found a pancake turner very efficient. effi-cient. When the loosened paint and varnish are entirely off, and ths wood Is all revealed, clean off all traces of the remover with gasoline or turpentine. turpen-tine. Your true lover of old mahogany will then slowly produce the ideal dull satin polish by rubbing away at the surface, day after day, with boiled linseed oil mixed with finely powdered pumice stone. It is a long, loving process proc-ess indeed. If there is neither the time nor the strength to give this natural polish, a good mahogany stain may be applied smoothly, allowed to dry thoroughly for a day or two, and then the surface rubbed with the oil and pumice. (Copyright.) |