Cycle Repairing and Adjusting
With a Chapter on building a Bicycle from a Set of Parts

82 CYCLE REPAIRING Applying the Enamel.—With the machine taken down and properly prepared by scraping or otherwise, and well rubbed smooth with emery-cloth, rub over the surface with a turpentine rag, to remove any trace of grease, and when quite ready to give the first coat, dust carefully over with a linen rag free from fluff or loose pieces, going care- fully into all corners or holes where any dust is likely to lodge. Give the work a good, even coat, not put on too thickly so as to run, and hang up to dry. Let this be for twenty-four hours to dry, and harden before giving a second coat. Before applying the second coat, look over the work well for any brush hairs or rough places, which should first be removed. Let the second coat dry as before, and again examine for blemishes. If a little gold-size or varnish is mixed with the flat colour it will allow the surface to be rubbed down very lightly with a little powdered pumice on a damp cloth. This will give a nice, smooth surface on which to give the finishing coat of varnish. This should be put on evenly and with a good flow, but not too thickly, or it will run and look unsightly when dry. The remarks referring to care in freedom from dust and dirt of any kind, either in the room or the work or tools, specially apply to the varnishing process, as do the remarks regarding the warm room being free from draughts. Do not start to assemble the machine until the enamel is quite dry and hard. The longer it is left to harden before hand- ling the better ; it should be left for two or three days if possible. Transfers should be fixed and any lining done before