Ebony or Flat Black Finish. Where work is to be finished in ebony, either in gloss or flat, the wood should be prepared according to the finish. If soft wood and is to be finished in ebony, it should receive a coat of shellac; putty with black putty and apply a coat of dark lead color, mixed flat, to which has been added a half-pint of good hard-drying varnish to the gallon of paint. When hard dry, rub off smooth with curled hair. Over this apply a coat of flat black. If a gloss or polish is desired, apply a coat of black color and varnish or ebony finish. This can be rubbed to a dead effect. If a more expensive finish is desired, slightly reduce the first coat of varnish color or ebony finish, according to the temperature of the room. When hard dry, cut down smooth with fine steel wool, dust off and flow on an even coat of the color varnish or ebony finish. This can be rubbed and polished.
Where grill work and plate rails or hard wood are to be finished and the open-grain effect is desired, add to the flat black a few drops of oil and apply a coat to the bare wood. Allow to stand a short time, then wipe off to the desired effect of flat black or Flemish finish. If, however, the hard wood is to be finished in gloss or polish, it should first be filled with paste filler, then proceed as with soft wood varnish coats, leaving off the dark lead color coat.
Cupboards and Pantries. When cupboards and pantries are to be painted, the first or priming coat should be applied to the bare wood and mixed with 2-3 turpentine and 1-3 oil. This will dry hard and can be sandpapered smooth. If two coats only are to be applied, the finishing coat should be mixed to dry hard and firm. If oil paint, it can be mixed to a good consistency with 2-3 oil and 1-3 turpentine and a small amount of good japan, or mix the desired color flat and use half color and half good-drying varnish. The paint should be of the same consistency as varnish. To this a further percentage of turpentine can be added to
