White-enamelled articles made of cheap wood show the knots and dark parts of the grain. To prevent this, dissolve 2 oz. of pale shellac in 1/2 pt. of methylated spirit, then mix in some finely crushed flake white. Apply this solution to the knots, etc., with a camel-hair brush; several coats may be laid on so long as the solution is evenly distributed. Any harsh edges must be smoothed down with line glasspaper before applying the enamel, which should not be used too thin.