Boiled linseed oil "cut" in a little turpentine makes a very good finish. It is especially good on close grained woods such as mahogany, cherry, black walnut, or yellow pine. If a natural color is wanted it is only necessary to brush or rub the oil and turpentine on the surfaces. For this operation a rag will do quite as well as a brush. After the oil has penetrated as deeply as possible, i. e., after about ten or twelve hours, the surfaces should be polished by rubbing. The rubbing should be done lengthwise of the grain, and if the best results are desired, repeated day after day for several days. This finish darkens and enriches the color of the wood somewhat, and if it is oiled and polished occasionally it will improve with age.

Experimental Work:

1. Try several proportions of boiled linseed oil and turpentine to determine the best proportions to use. Try the effect of adding a little japan drier. Try raw linseed oil instead of the boiled. Does it dry as fast or faster than the boiled?

2. Make up a set of samples, using: (a) Water stains; (b) spirit stains; (c) oil stains; (d) fumed pieces, filling and polishing the open grained woods, but simply polishing those with a close grain.

Manufacturers of stains and polishes will gladly send you samples of their products and instructions for using them if you will write to them and state your purpose. Look for their advertisements in any trade journal, also in the manual and industrial arts magazines.

3. Make up a set of samples using colors ground in oil. Add a little oil and thin with turpentine.