Powdering, Crumbling, Perishing Varnish

¶ Powdering, Crumbling, Perishing Varnish. All of these terms and a few others are used to describe varnish which first loses its gloss and then gradually becomes lifeless, powdery and crumbles away to complete destruction.

¶ The causes of this destruction are several and they destroy even good varnish prematurely. Exposure to coal gas, ammonia fumes and other gases are common causes of this trouble. Washing varnish with excessively hot water is destructive in this manner. Exposure to sudden and great changes in temperature while the varnish is drying will sometimes cause it to be destroyed in this way.

¶ The crumbling of varnish to dust may be due to the use of the improper kind of varnish for the purpose,for instance, the use of short-oil, hard, inelastic varnish for exterior surfaces where a long-oil elastic varnish is needed. One of the greatest causes of premature perishing of varnish on furniture and vehicles is the use of so-called renovators, soaps and polishes. Such compounds as a rule do not remove dirt and grit from surfaces but grind it into the varnish and also they tend to keep the varnish in a soft condition which is injurious. Where soaps are necessary the neutral soaps containing little free alkali should be used. Linseed oil soap is good. Cleaning with clear cool water is best.

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