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Scan 314
Old Violins And Their Makers, 1883
2 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 300. See the scan on archive.org.
1the risk of cracking. You would, at least, in doing so, have to be absolutely sure of the complete desiccation of the first coats, before applying it. In spite of this difficulty, however, the essential oil of rosemary would be the preferable vehicle for this white varnish. The cracking of violin varnish has been ascribed to various causes. It may have been put on too thick, or hard resins may have been employed without the due addition of those of a character more supple. It may also arise from one coat being added before a previous one is completely dry, in which case the desiccation of the latter is permanently stopped, and the varnish contracts, compelling the recently applied coat to follow its movements, whereupon the cracks supervene. When, in moist weather or extreme heat, a too great thickness of essential oil varnish is applied, it may wrinkle. A violin could also be varnished with a single coat, by causing the essential oil to absorb as much colour as possible, and putting into it the resins in the proportions given for the white varnish, with the same quantity of linseed oil. This last varnish would not be difficult to apply, for it is not the first coat which causes trouble. It is, however, preferable to lay on three or four thin, instead of one or two thick, coats, as the varnish thus dries better, does not crack, and is altogether finer in appearance. Dry and warm weather is the best for applying the varnish, because the waves left by the brush then unite more equally, a moist season having a tendency to make them wrinkle. It is also necessary, while laying it on, to avoid all currents of air, because these would make it "set" too quickly, and there would be some difficulty in
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