An appropriate finish is obtained as follows: First thoroughly scrape
and sandpaper the various parts, then apply a coat of brown Flemish
water stain. Allow this to dry well, then sand it lightly with No. 00
sandpaper to lay the grain. Again apply the Flemish stain, but this time
have it weakened by the addition of an equal amount of water. When dry,
sand again as on the first coat. Upon the second coat of stain apply a
thin coat of shellac. This is to protect the high lights from the stain
in the filler which is to follow. Sand lightly, then apply a paste
filler of a sufficiently dark shade to make a dark field for the brown
Flemish. Clean off the surplus and polish in the usual manner.
Upon the filler, after it has hardened overnight, apply a coat of orange
shellac. Successively apply several coats of some good rubbing varnish.
Polish the first coats with haircloth or curled hair, and the last with
pulverized pumice stone, mixed with raw linseed or crude oil.