If delicate woods are to be varnished, stone or glass jars would better be used to hold the liquid, for metal discolors it slightly.
Fig. 242.
Fig. 243.
149. General Directions for Using Brush.
—(1) Hold the brush as in [Fig. 242]. (2) Dip the end of the brush in the liquid to about one-third the length of the bristles. (3) Wipe off the surplus liquid on the edge of the can, wiping both sides of the brush no more than is necessary to keep the liquid from dripping. A wire stretched across the can as in [Fig. 243] provides a better wiping place for the dripping brush. In wiping the brush on the edge of the can, some of liquid is likely to “run” down the outside. (4) Using the end of the brush, apply the liquid near one end of the surface to be covered. (5) “Brush” in the direction of the grain. (6) Work towards and out over the end of the board, leveling the liquid to a smooth film of uniform thinness. The strokes should be “feathered,” that is, the brush should be lowered gradually at the beginning of the sweep and raised gradually at the close, otherwise, ugly “laps” will result. The reason for working out over the ends rather than from them will appear with a little thought. (7) Now work toward the second end. The arrows, [Fig. 244], show the general directions of the final or feathering strokes.
Fig. 244.
Edges are usually covered first and adjoining surfaces afterward.