Before attempting to stain a toy, the wood should be carefully examined to see that all scars, glue or scratches have been removed. This is very important as the stain will show up all imperfections in the wood very plainly. Enough stain should be poured in a shallow cup for the piece of work at hand and should then be applied with a brush with the grain of the wood in long narrow bands from one end of the work to the other. The stain should be wiped with a piece of waste or cloth soon after being applied, removing all surplus stain and thus bringing out the grain of the wood.

Pains must be taken when staining the edges not to allow the stain to run over on the adjacent surface. If it does the stain should be quickly wiped off with a piece of waste before it causes the surface to be unevenly stained.

There will probably be no necessity in toy construction to use filler on the wood so the method of applying this will be omitted.

Next apply a coat of white shellac (reduced by one part of alcohol to three parts of shellac), brushing it on quickly with the grain of the wood.

Do not have too much shellac on the brush. If laps or runs show, work them out with the brush.

After the shellac has dried eight or ten hours it should be rubbed lightly with No. 0 sandpaper. Be careful not to sand through the shellac, particularly on the edges. A second coat may be applied if desired.

For the last coat apply a coat of either hard or liquid wax, the latter being preferable.

Shake the can or jar before applying liquid wax. Apply evenly with a soft cloth and allow it to dry for an hour. Rub down to the proper luster with a soft clean cloth. Two or more coats of wax may be applied if desired.