[ Larry Schuette wrote in 130220 MMDigest --

> The old directions from PPCo were to first wet the wood to expand
> the pores and then rub on the graphite.  I seem to have mixed
> results on different types of wood.

I don't think you should apply water to any surface that you want to
keep a smooth surface on.  If you polish a slide valve to perfection
with fine sand paper, the last thing you want to do is to raise the
grain with water.

I mix graphite in denatured alcohol or 99% isopropyl and apply the
mixture to the wood.  You can burnish it in with felt or a clean rag,
or with fine wet or dry sandpaper.  For heavier coatings you can use
a premixed solution called Atcheson DAG, if I remember the name
correctly.  This is good for capstans and the like but I would not
use it on slide valves as it can dry streaky and be hard to smooth.

Best regards,
Spencer Chase
Garberville, Calif.
http://www.spencerserolls.com/