For japanning sheet-iron articles, which are really tin goods, such as
tea-trays and similar things, first scour them well with a piece of
sandstone, which will effectually remove all the scales and make the
surface quite smooth. Then give the metal a coating of vegetable
black, which must be mixed with super black japan varnish, thinned
with turps, and well strained. Only a small quantity of this varnish
is necessary, as it will dry dead. The article must then be placed in
the stove to harden at a temperature of 212° F., there to remain for
from ten to twelve hours. When taken out of the stove, the articles
must be allowed to get cold, after which they must be given a coat of
super black japan, which, if necessary, must be thinned with turps, a
stiff, short bristle brush being employed, and the varnish put on
sparingly, so that it will not "run" when it gets warm. Two coats of
this varnish on top of the vegetable black coating are usually
sufficient, when done properly, but a third coating much improves the
work, and from ten to twelve hours' hardening will be necessary
between each coating. The small lumps which will be more or less
certain to arise will require to be rubbed down between each
application by a small and smooth piece of pumice-stone.

If it is desired to add gold or bronze bands or any kind of floral or
other kind of fancy decorations, these are painted on, after the
ground japanning has been done, in japanners' gold size, and then the
gold leaf is applied, or the bronze or other metal powder is dusted
on, after which the objects so treated are again placed in the stove,
where they will not require to be kept near so long as for ordinary
japanning. After they have been removed, the gilt or bronzed portions
must be treated with a protecting coat of white spirit varnish.
Transfers can be applied in the same way.