Violin Varnish and How to Make It/Chapter 8

by Georges Foucher

CHAPTER VIII.

Examples of various kinds of Varnish.

Spirit Varnish.

No. 1.

Fill a bottle with shellac, broken glass and spirit in equal proportions. Roll and shake bottle from time to time during 12 hours. Boil in hot water bath. Dilute to substance of thin glue, and filter on wool. The natural colour will be that of the shellac. Alter to taste by the addition of coloured spirit.

Spirit Varnish.

No. 2.

Dissolve in Alcohol 5 oz. Sandarach.
Dissolve in Alcohol 5 oz.„ Sandarach.Mastic.
Dissolve in Alcohol 1/2 oz.„ Sandarach.Camphor.

(Add broken glass)

Roll and shake from time to time during 24 hours. Heat in hot water bath. Dilute and colour to requirements.

Spirit Varnish.

No. 3.

Dissolve in alcohol 246 oz. Mastic in tears.Shellac.
Dissolve in alcohol 24 oz.„ Mastic in tears.Sandarach.
Dissolve in alcohol 243 oz.„ Mastic in tears.
Dissolve in alcohol 243 oz.„ Mastic in tears.Elemi.
Dissolve in alcohol 246 oz.„ Mastic in tears.Turpentine.

Add some broken glass

Proceed as for No. 2.

Spirit Varnish.

No. 4.

Dissolve in alcohol 5 oz. Sandarach.Mastic.
Dissolve in alcohol 5 oz.„ Sandarach.
Dissolve in alcohol 1 oz.„ Sandarach.Elemi.
Dissolve in alcohol 1 oz.„ Sandarach.Animé.

Add broken glass

Proceed as for Example No. 2.

Spirit Varnish.

No. 5.

Dissolve 2 oz. turpentine in 11/2 pint of spirit.
Add broken glass.

2 oz. Sandarach.Shellac.
8 oz.„ Sandarach.
1 oz.„ Sandarach.Mastic.
1 oz.„ Sandarach.Elemi.

Proceed as explained for Example No. 2.

Amber Spirit Varnish.

No. 6.

Dissolve in alcohol 4 oz. Prepared Amber.Sandarach.
Dissolve in alcohol 4 oz.„ Prepared Amber.
Dissolve in alcohol 1 oz.„ Prepared Amber.Mastic.

Add broken glass

Proceed as for Example No. 2.
After dissolution of the rosins add 1 oz. of turpentine (liquid).

Amber and Turpentine Varnish.

No. 7.

Place in a bottle 4 oz. Prepared Amber.Sandarach.
Place in a bottle 4 oz.„ Prepared Amber.Mastic.
Place in a bottle 4 oz.„ Prepared Amber.Animé.
Place in a bottle 2 oz.„ Prepared Amber.
Place in a bottle and some broken glass.

Bring gently to melting point (in hot water bath). When melted add 12 oz. of turpentine (liquid). Continue to heat until completely dissolved.

Amber Oil Varnish.

No. 8.

4 oz. prepared amber broken in small pieces.
Place these in an iron saucepan. Pour on it a spoonful of essence of turpentine. Cover saucepan with lid. Place on slow fire. In about fifteen minutes the amber will be melted. Take saucepan off the fire. Let it cool a little and add 2 oz. drying oil. Mix well and thoroughly. Add 4 oz. essence of turpentine which may have been coloured.

Amber Oil Varnish.

No. 9.

16 oz. essence of turpentine.prepared amber.
168 oz.„ essence of turpentine.oil (siccative).
16 oz.„ essence of turpentine.

Mix amber with oil. Melt by slow fire as per example No. 8. When dissolution complete add essence of turpentine.

Amber Oil Varnish.

No. 10.

16 oz. essence of turpentine.prepared amber.
168 oz.„ essence of turpentine.oil (siccative).
16 oz.„ essence of turpentine.

Mix amber with turpentine as explained in example No. 8. Melt by slow heat. When dissolution complete add the oil.

Oil Varnish.

No. 11.

Melt on fire as explained in example No. 8.

15 oz. copal.

Add to it 8 oz. oil (siccative).
Dilute with 24 oz. essence of turpentine.

Varnish for Bows.

No. 12.

Dissolve 12 oz. Dragon’s Blood.Shellac.
Dissolve 123 oz.„ Dragon's Blood.
Dissolve 123 oz.„ Dragon’s Blood.Copal.

in one pint spirit.