The gloss on a pony cart is obtained by applying one or more coats of varnish after the colour and lines are put on, according to the quality of the work. For ordinary work, the body is prepared by lead colour and filling up, and rubbing down with pumice-stone and water, then giving a coat of light lead colour, which is faced down very lightly to take out the brush marks. The work is then ready for either two or three coats of ground colour, the first coats being made to dry medium quick, the last coat having a good portion of varnish added. Allow to stand for a couple of days to harden, then flat down with pumice-powder and a cloth pad, using sufficient water to make it work freely. This will leave a good surface for lining out on. After the lines are dry, the first coat of varnish maybe put on. Before doing this, see that every particle of pumice-powder is washed off, freely using a water-tool to clean out the corners; then dry off thoroughly. Varnish in a dry, clean place, free from sudden draughts and kept to a temperature of 75° F. If a second coat is to be put on, the first one should not be too full, but sufficient to form a good foundation for the next one.

After the work has been allowed to stand three days, it is flatted down in the same manner as the varnish colour, and another coat may be given to finish the job, putting this on as heavy as possible without getting runs or thick edges.