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To Japan Old Tea-Trays

that the composition is not too thin, or it will First clean them thoroughly with soap and spread beyond the bounds of the outline, but water and a little rotten-stone; then dry just so thick as to drop from the stick. Some them by wiping and exposure at the fire. mix with the whiting a portion of flake-white, Now get some good copal varnish, mix with or dry white-lead. This is an improvement, it some bronze powder, and apply with a and for very particular work should be brush to the denuded parts, after which set the tea-tray in an oven, at a heat of 212° to 300°, until the varnish is dry. Two coats will make it equal to new. adopted. 3043. To Japan Work-Boxes and Fancy Articles. There is a very pretty method of ornamenting boxes, cabinets, &c., LACQUERS. so that the figures appear of the color of the to keep a concentrated solution of each colorwood. and the ground black or colored; this, ing ingredient ready, so that it may at any by many, is produced by first tracing out the time be added to produce any desired tint. pattern, and then pricking in those parts Lacquer should always stand till it is quite which shall appear as the ground, either fine, before it is used. black or any color at fancy. This is a very 3046. To Lacquer Brass Work. If tedious process, and even when finished with the work is old, clean it first, according to the the greatest care, will not appear regular or directions hereafter given; but if new, it will well defined in the pattern.

The following merely require to be freed from dust, and method will be found very expeditious, and rubbed with a piece of wash-leather, to make at the same time very correct; it is but little it as bright as possible. Put the work on a known, and, as such , will to the practical hot iron plate (or upon the top of the stove), japanner be the more acceptable . It may till it is moderately heated, but not too hot, also be applied to many other purposes than or it will blister the lacquer; then, according here alluded to. The following preparation to the color desired, take of the following is necessary, and may be termed the stopping preparations, and, making it warm, lay hold out mixture; it is made by dissolving the of the work with a pair of pincers or pliers, best white bees' wax in spirits of turpentine and with a soft brush apply the lacquer, being till it is of the consistency of varnish.

Keep careful not to rub it on, but stroke the brush this mixture in a bottle, and, when wanted gently one way, and place the work on tho for use, mix sufficient for your present pur- hot plate again till the varnish is hard; but pose with white lead in powder, or flake do not let it remain too long. Experience thick, will best tell you when it should be removed. only so that it will flow freely from the brush. Some, indeed, do not place it on the stove or Having traced the design, go over those plate a second time. If it should not be quite parts which are to remain of the color of the covered, you may repeat it carefully; and, if wood, and let it dry; then mix ivory-black pains be taken with the lacquer, it will look (or other color as may be required), in very equal to metal gilt. fine powder , with parchment or isinglass size, 3047. To Clean Old Brass Work for and go evenly and smoothly over every part Lacquering. Make a strong lye of woodof the work. It will now appear wholly ashes, which may be strengthened by soapblack, or of whatever color that was mixed lees; put in the brass-work, and the lacquer with the size. Let the whole get thoroughly will soon come off; then have ready a mixdry; then, with a stiff brush dipped in plain ture of aquafortis and water, sufficiently spirits of turpentine, rub the whole of the strong to take off the dirt; wash it afterwards work well, and those parts that have been in clean water, and lacquer it with such of gone over with the stopping-out mixture, the following compositions as may be most will come off, leaving the black or other color suitable to the work. perfect. It will then appear as if the work had been pricked in, but much sharper, and will, if carefully done, have a beautiful effect.

You have now nothing more to do than var nish the work, as usual, and polish it as directed in Nos. 2979, &c. To finish the work in the manner of Indian japan, give it 8 or 10 coats of varnish, so that it will bear polishing. 3048. Το Make Gold Lacquer for Brass. Rectified spirits of wine, 1/2 pint; mix 1/2 pound of seed-lac, picked clean, and clear of all pieces (as upon that depends the beauty of the lacquer) with the spirits of wine; keep them in a warm place, and shake them repeatedly. When the seed-lac is quite dissolved, it is fit for use.