Dissolve shellac in 90 per cent alcohol. Stir for two hours, though not
continually; do not allow it to stand long enough for lumps to settle.
After the shellac is dissolved the polish is ready for use.
Now take a piece of old soft woolen material, and form it into a ball
about the size of an egg in a way to permit the lower side to remain
smooth. On the latter pour about from one half to one thimbleful of
the polish. Around the whole put a four-cornered piece of old linen
about 10 × 13 inches, and fold it around the ball just as you have done
with the woolen cloth but in such a way that you can hold it by the
end of the goods. On the smooth side put a few drops of linseed oil,
and then begin to polish the surface with a light and even pressure in
a circular movement from one side to the other, forward and backward,
until the entire surface receives a slight covering of polish. When the
work becomes more difficult the ball requires moistening by a few drops
of oil; at the same time put a few drops of oil on the plate, and the
ball will move easily again. You must observe the work constantly. If
everything is in order the plate as well as the ball will keep clean,
but if the ball sticks to the plate and gets smeary then you will know
that the polish is too thick and must be thinned with alcohol, which
you are to put on the woolen cloth, previously removing the linen and
putting it back on the other side; that is, turn the linen rag before
putting it back on the ball. After having polished it sufficiently
so that all the pores of the wood are filled and the surface has a
nice gloss, put another soft linen rag around the ball, and moisten
it with a few drops of alcohol; again polish as before until the flat
surface has a high grade of smoothness and gloss and all the greasy
appearance has disappeared. You must be very careful, however, to apply
but a few drops of alcohol and to press these into the ball as well as
possible; otherwise the strength of it may dissolve the polish in some
places entirely. When at last the ball leaves but weak traces, then
polish fast with strong strokes forward and backward until the ball is
completely dry and the surface of the wood very glossy.
If you polish the finished surface once more after ten days the gloss
will be nicer, as the surface gets harder with age.
If you want the polish to be colored use Curcuma for yellow, Sandal for
red, and Spanish green for green. The color is to be put in a thin coat
between two linen rags, over which should be put a woolen rag. While
polishing some of the coloring will stick to the polish.
It is not to be expected that by working according to these directions
you will learn how to polish perfectly, as there are always some
unlooked-for difficulties, but generally you can tell what to do in any
emergency.