STAINS
AND PRIMERS
If the unfinished instrument is to have a beautiful basic color, it should
be stained before varnishing. But since the hardness of wood can vary, thus
absorbing the stain unevenly, it is recommended that the basic instrument
should be pre-treated first to ensure that the color is attractively even.
Instructions for pre-treating the wood:
Dissolve about 30 g of gelatin powder in a liter of warm water and then
heat until the solution is clear and thin. Apply the warm solution evenly
with a bristle brush, leave to dry completely and sand down very carefully
with a fine sandpaper. The various stains described below can then be applied.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR APPLICATION OF WATER-BASED STAINS
Water-based stains are available in some twenty shades. Dissolve contents
of the bag, following the instructions on the label. To make the color
lighter or deeper, change the proportion of water used. Apply the stain
solution evenly to the cleanly sanded instruments using a sponge or brush.
Wipe off excess stain with a dry rag.
JOHA®
ANTIQUE STAIN #421
Stain #421 - antique gray-brown is a ready-mixed oxidation stain.
After application, the color changes under the effect of air and daylight
from being colorless to antique gray-brown. This stain is applied exactly
as described above. Once the required color has been reached, gently sand
with a fine sandpaper and apply one coat of basic varnish. This prevents
further modification of the color. Ideally, one should carry out a test
stain and varnish to see what the final result will be, since the colors
will vary with different types of wood. This stain particularly draws
out timber rings.
JOHA®
STAIN #423 and JOHA® STAIN #402 M
Stain #402 M is a rich brown, ready-made stain which should be
used if a dark instrument is required. Stain #423 is a ready-made
orange stain made from natural dyes. Use as water-based stains.
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An
introduction to our varnishes:
SPIRIT VARNISH
Spirit varnish has always been the varnish most commonly used for stringed
instruments. It dries quickly, thus allowing a daily coating. The varnish
must be applied quickly, however, in order to prevent the varnish from clouding,
especially on color varnish. Every coat must be thoroughly dried before
the next coat is applied in order to prevent cracks from materializing later.
(Press hard on the varnish with your thumb for a few seconds. If it fails
to make a print, then you can apply the next coat.) Spirit varnish can be
smoothed well with pumice stone or rottenstone and polished.
PROPOLIS
MIXED VARNISH
This is an Italian type varnish which, in spite of being a very soft varnish,
dries well. After is has been left to dry for a few days it polishes very
well. As the name suggests this varnish is parly made up of propolis and
is particularly fine quality. Its natural color is an antique yellow.
This varnish should be smoothed with rottenstone and polished after is
has dried completely, at least 30 days.
OIL
VARNISH, STANDARD QUALITY
This varnish qpplies very well. It should be diluted a bit with balsam
turpentine (the thinner that is listed with the oil varnishes), despite
the fact that it takes a little longer to dry. (Test this also with your
thumb to see if it is dry.) Contrary to popular opinion, in the long run,
this varnish actually becomes somewhat harder than spirit varnish. You
can smooth this varnish with pumice stone or rottenstone and work it to
a gentle shine with polish and oil.
VOLATILE
OIL VARNISH
An outstanding oil varnish made with balsams and volatile oils which dries
much faster than normal oil varnishes. As a result, however, it is not
as easy to apply as normal oil varnish. Because it contains propolis,
it stays elastic for a long time and allows the wood to vibrate properly.
However, this means that volatile oil varnish may remain sensitive to
heat and pressure even after years. After the last coat has dried (thirty
days to six weeks) the volatile oil varnish can be smoothed with tripoli
powder and polished.
RETOUCHING
VARNISH
This is ideal for repairing damaged varnish on musical instruments. It
is made using selected resins and a special solvent, thus providing excellent
adhesion to demaged areas. In order to achieve better cover, retouching
varnish has a slightly stronger color. The composition of this special
varnish means it is ideal for repairs both to spirit and oil varnishes.
The special thinner must be used with the retouching varnish. All colors
can be mixed with each other. This varnish should be thickly dabbed or
applied to the area to be repaired; leave to dry completely and then sand
smooth to match the remaining varnish.
COLOR
EXTRACT
Color extract is a liquid, light-resistant, transparent color for tinting
colorless varnishes, although it can also be used with all other spirit,
oil and synthetic resin varnishes. The colors can be mixed with each other,
so that any desired shade may be matched. The liquid may be added directly
to the varnish. This color extract is superior to spiriti and oil soluble
powders as it is much more resistant to light.
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