Japanning

Japanning is the art of producing, by the aid of heat, a hard coating of coloured varnish upon metal, wood, or papier-maché. Articles so coated resemble the lacquer wares of Japan and China (see LACQUER). A japanned surface differs from an ordinary painted surface in being harder and more durable, and also in not being easily injured by hot water or by being placed near a fire. A good brown 'japan' is prepared by separately heating equal quantities of amber and asphaltum, and adding to each one-half the quantity by weight of boiled linseed-oil. Both compounds are then mixed together. Copal resin may be substituted for the amber, but it is not so durable. Tinned iron goods are most largely japanned, and for them brown and black colours are chiefly used. Both are obtained by the use of brown japan, the metal getting a preliminary coating of black paint when black is required. Only one coating of brown japan is given to cheap goods, but for better wares two or more coatings are applied. After each coating the articles are heated for ten or twelve hours in an oven at from 135° to 165° F., or even up to a much higher temperature. The japanned surface is then rubbed with fine ground pumice, next with rottenstone, and the final polish given to it by the palm of the hand. Gold or bronze bands or floral decoration, or both, are generally added. These are first painted on in japanner's gold size, and then the gold leaf is applied or the bronzed powder dusted on, after which the objects are again placed in the oven. After they are removed the gilt or bronzed portions get a protecting coat of white spirit varnish. When white or other light colours are used for japanning they are mixed with japanner's varnish. These require more careful heating in the oven than dark brown or black. Such articles as tea-trays, coal-boxes, cash-boxes, tin canisters, and the like are japanned in great numbers in Birmingham. Portable baths are usually finished internally in white japan; and it may be remarked that this would last much longer than it often does if care were taken not to leave soapy water in the baths after being used. The varnishing or japanning of the surface of papier-maché wares is a similar process to the above, but in the case of these shell or metal inlaying is often worked into the japan.