Whatever the solvent used, it should be worked in all the way up to the heel of the brush with the fingers, if necessary, and applied unstintingly. A steel brush or an old table fork will be found useful for loosening up any gummy residue. Paint and varnish brushes that are to be used again within a reasonable period can be suspended in their liquid solutions. Shellac and lacquer brushes should be stored dry. To keep out dirt and retard evaporation of the fluid, containers having tops should be selected and modified as suggested in Figure 5.2. Whatever the method of suspension employed, it should insure that the bristles do not rest on the bottom of the container where they are liable to become permanently bent. The liquid should be maintained to the middle of the brush ferrule and consists of a halfandhalf mixture of raw linseed oil and turpentine for paint brushes, or of varnish and turpentine for varnish or enamel brushes. Prior to dry storage, after the brush has been thoroughly cleaned in solvent, 't should be washed with soap and water, followed by a rinsing in clear water. hen dry, the bristles are dipped in linseed oil and the brush can then be wrapped in paper to keep out dust and dirt. Waxed paper from commercial loaves of bread makes a good wrapper, and care should be exercised that the brush is kept flat to prevent "warping"' during long storage. LiQutd Level Old Varnish Can Fig. 5.2. Brush keeper. ЗЮ FURNITURE MAKING AND CABINET WORK For the best results new brushes should be broken in before using. After working the ends of the bristles against a board to force any loose hairs forward, they should be combed out smooth and immersed in linseed oil for 12 hours or more, in order to insure ease in later cleaning. Before using the brush most of the oil can be squeezed out with a straightedge; the remainder can be removed centrifugally by spinning the handle between the palms of the hands, while the brush extends into a wide, empty container to prevent spattering. Brushing Technique. The successful application of a brushedon finish is dependent in great part upon the manner in which the brush is handled. Selection of the correct size of brush will insure the application of the proper amount of liquid, which is a strong factor in eliminating "holidays" or skipped areas, as well as in preventing double coating. In loading the brush it is best to dip only about one third of the length of the bristles-under no circumstances up to the ferrule. The habit of wiping excess paint off against the edge of the can each time the brush is dipped, not only bends the end bristles but causes an accumulation of thick pigment under the rim of the can, which eventually drops into the liquid in the form of blobs. A strike wire fastened across the can is a much better practice. Paint finishes are usually brushed jut; enamel, varnish, and shellac finishes must be flowed on, and lacquer while habitually sprayed, is procurable in a brushing mixture.