the plasterer commences work. If the work is to have a natural finish and the frames are hard wood, they should first be filled with paste filler, then a coat of shellac or liquor filler applied. If the frames are soft wood and are to be stained, they should be given a coat of oil stain; if to be painted, they should be primed. If water or spirit stains are used, cover with a coat of shellac or liquid filler, otherwise the lime water in the plaster will change the color of water stains. A strip should be tacked to the face of the frames to protect them from being bruised or scuffed up during the plastering.
Floors which are to be finished natural or stained should not be laid until after the plastering is done. Floors should be the last work of the carpenter as well as the painter. This requires laying an extra floor. On the best and more expensive buildings this is looked after by the architect in his specifications. However, there are a number of buildings in which the floors are laid before the plasterer commences his work, and as these are to be finished either natural, stained or painted, they should be protected from plastering.
As soon as the carpenter has finished sandpapering and dressing down the floors, they should be carefully swept and dusted off. The cracks should be filled with either a good linseed oil putty mixed with 1-3 keg lead, or a good crack and crevice filler, which is not so likely to be affected by shrinkage of the floors as is putty.
If hard, open-grained wood, the floors should first receive a coat of paste filler, then a light coat of shellac or floor finish.
If the floors are soft or hard pine and to be finished natural, they should receive a coat of shellac or liquid filler of good quality, applied thin. If to be stained, they should receive a coat of oil stain.
When dry, cover the floors with heavy building paper or plain carpet lining tacked down solidly. Sprinkle dry
