Page:Cyclopedia of Painting-Armstrong, George D (1908).djvu/222

214 insure ease of working, or a small percentage of oil can be used, but not enough to cause the paint to dry tacky.

If three coats of oil paint are specified, the second coat should be of the same mixture as the primer, but of a heavier consistency. When hard, sandpaper and apply a coat of paint mixed with 2-3 oil and 1-3 turpentine. If sufficient time is allowed, this should dry firm and hard. If a varnish finish is desired, the finishing coat varnish color can be applied as recommended for two-coat work.

In painting the pantries, cupboards, etc., it is very essential that the doors and drawers should not be closed, so as to allow the paint drying hard. A free circulation of air is absolutely necessary.

Graining Ground. Graining grounds which are mixed with all oil are very liable to crack and check after varnish has been applied over them. Care should always be used in noting that the undercoats are thoroughly hard before applying subsequent coats. There should not be too much oil used.

If the priming is to be applied to the bare wood, reduce with half oil and half turpentine. Allow this to thoroughly harden through, putty, sandpaper smooth and apply a coat of paint, mixed flat, to which has been added a half-pint of hard-drying varnish to the gallon of paint. When hard, rub smooth with fine sandpaper or steel wool and apply a coat of the same paint with the addition of varnish to allow of drying with a slight gloss, or a small amount of oil can be used, but not enough to cause the paint to dry tacky. If the surface has been sized, the first coat should be mixed with 2-3 turpentine and 1-3 oil, smoothed off and finished with one coat as recommended for finishing on bare wood. Graining color can be worked over this ground without danger of cutting through with the graining combs or when cutting out growths, as is often the case when oil is used in ground work.

It is best to grain in distemper for interior work. For