Applied with a rotary motion to the shellacked surface, the wax is forced out through the folds as the rubbing progresses. "Selfpolishing" waxes contain water instead of turpentine as a vehicle; when the water evaporates the wax is left as a deposit, without polishing. Regardless of the type of wax which is used, it is the number of coats that will determine the depth and final sheen of the finish. No coat should be applied until the preceding coat }ias thoroughly dried; and each coat (except the first waterwax coat) should be vigorously polished with the grain, before the succeeding coat is applied. For the home craftsman who prefers to mix his own wax, a formula employing Brazilian carnauba wax, the hardest of the natural waxes, will produce an excellent surfacing medium. To add flexibility an equal portion of ceresin wax is added, №lth turpentine as the vehicle in the proportion of 1 pt of turpentine to a pound 322 FURNITURE MAKING AND CABINET WORK of each of the waxes. The latter are first shredded and melted in a double boiler, so that the warmed turpentine can be added. If it is desired to color the wax, a small amount of the required color, such as Vandyke brown ground in japan, is mixed with the turpentine before the latter is heated in»warm water. Varnish Finish. Offering depth, hardness and durability, the varnish finish has been and still is one of the most popular of the transparent films. Varnish, however, because of its oil content cannot produce as pale a finish as shellac and tends to darken with age. The chief drawback in applying a varnish finish is its slowdrying property, which permits it to pick up dust from the air while it is still tacky. This is due to the slowdrying oils, which act as a vehicle or binder for the resins. Varnishes containing a large percentage of oil are known as "longoil varnishes"; those containing a small portion of oil are called "shortoil varnishes." The selection of the type of varnish to be used depends upon the kind of finish desired. In general, the shortoil varnishes not only dry more quickly but rub and sandclean without the gumming encountered with longoil varnishes. Among the varnishes using a shortoil vehicle the palest are the quickdrying, socalled "Four Hour," and the pale rubbing and polishing types, which are suitable for a natural finish. "Rubbing and polishing" is a general term for a number of shortoil varnishes especially manufactured for furniture finishing. A varnish very short in oil and capable of taking a high polish is known as a "polishing varnish," containing very hard resins. Floor varnish with a mediumoil base is a harddrying finish frequently applied to furniture. Another mediumoil varnish more frequently used on interior trim is known as "flat varnish," a laborsaving mixture that dries dull in about 12 hours. Special types such as table top and bar top varnishes dry slowly and retain great elasticity to resist the effects of scratching, water, heat, and in the case of the bar top varnish, mild acids, perfumes, and alcohol in general.