RATTLING
is very disagreeable, and is a sign of something being loose about the Carriage, which requires to be tightened or lined with Leather; where Iron works upon Iron, if a thin piece of Leather can be introduced between, the Rattling will be stopped.
The Squeaking of any part is to be cured by a little Oil or Grease: this frequently happens in the Bolts of the Springs, or in the shackles where the wet has got in and rusted them; it often proceeds from some loose Nut or Bolt.
A Carriage, when first Painted, requires great care to prevent it from being spotted with Dirt—the Colour and Varnish take a considerable time to harden before they can entirely resist the action of Wet, &c.
If Dirt be allowed to dry and remain on the Carriage, some Colours (especially a bright Green) will be marked with Spots, which are not removed without considerable difficulty.
Therefore, the moment a Newly-painted Carriage returns from Work, sluice the Pannels well, and with a wet Sponge wipe them clean all over. If dusty with Road dust, take it off as gently as possible with a Soft Brush—wiping it with a Cloth will scratch it.
Stains will also appear where the Rain has run for any length of time; to remove which, rub the pannels with a little sweet Oil on a bit of soft baize, so as just to damp them; rub the stained places with a little more strength than the other parts of the pannels; dry them off with another piece of baize, then with a third piece, and a little flour; wipe or rub the pannels very dry; and if the stain has not then disappeared, rub it hard with the palm of a dry soft hand, drawing it smartly down, till the friction elicits a sharp squeaking sound. This will probably clear the Stains; if not, after a short interval repeat the same process: if then it cannot be cleared, the Colour or Paint beneath the Varnish is injured, and nothing but time will effect a change.
Rubbing common Varnished Bodies rather strong with a soft Skin, and drying them with another, helps to increase the lustre of the Varnish—a common Varnished body, well kept and often cleaned, frequently improves in its lustre.
HIGHLY VARNISHED PANNELS.
The clear brightness of this polished surface shews every little blemish; and though likely to be stained from the same causes as the other, yet the colour is not so apt to be affected, as it is much more thickly coated with Varnish, and the resistance stronger—to clear them, use the means before mentioned.