Spar varnish is another slowdrying, longoil mixture that dries with a tough, elastic, and very durable surface. It is most frequently applied to outdoor furniture. All that has been previously mentioned regarding cleanliness of the work surface and the surrounding air must be emphasized in applying a varnish finish. In order that the surface to be coated can be rendered immaculate, it is customary to pick up all dust particles during the final dusting with a "tack rag." This can be made from an old cotton handkerchief, which is first dampened with warm water and wrung out. It is then sprinkled with turpentine, and a small amount of varnish, then wrung out thoroughly until almost dry. It then has a slight "tackiness," which picks up dust as a magnet attracts filings. The tack rag can be kept indefinitely in a tight Mason jar, after it is sprinkled with a few drops of turpentine. To insure that the main supply of varnish remains unadulterated and free from dust, it is best to pour a small amount into a metal cup, as the work progresses. A strike wire should be inserted through holes near the cup rim to protect FURNITURE FINISHING 323 the bristles when wiping off excess varnish after dipping. When the job is completed, leftover varnish in the cup should be discarded and not poured back into the can, since it is almost certain to contain dirt and dust. The technique of brushing on varnish is slightly different from that of flowing on enamel. On vertical flat surfaces it is usually crossbrushed, being first applied horizontally against the grain from either side, halfway across, with the brush lifted quickly at the end of each stroke to avoid excessive overlap. After the entire surface has been covered across the grain, the brush is wiped off against the strike wire and the surface lightly brushed along the grain with the tips of the brush bristles. This "tipping" is accomplished with featherlike strokes from the top of the work down to the center, then up from the bottom, the brush being cleaned off against the strike wire after each up and down stroke. In covering flat, horizontal surfaces, the crossbrushing can be eliminated and the strokes commenced from the center of the far side, with the grain, from right to left. The tipping is done in a continuous stroke from one side to the other. Turnings should be brushed roundandround, then tipped longitudinally. In spite of extreme care specks of dirt will lodge in the varnish coat. These must be removed as the work progresses, before the varnish becomes so tack)' that it will not flow together again. Very often a clean sliver of wood, lightlyapplied, is sufficient to remove the speck. Professional varnish finishers rely upon a ball of burnt varnish which is rolled between the dampened fingers, then impaled upon a stick. Gently touched to the dust specks, it lifts tfjem out, after which they can be imbedded in the ball of "varnish" by rolling it between fingertips.