The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

House Painting

Some dry colors, such as lampblack, do not easily wet with oil, do not seem to absorb it, and are much better bought in paste form. To see what is the color of a mixture, a drop or two of the well-mixed paste is spread on a piece of clean glass; turn the glass over and look at the paint through the glass. This gives a smooth, perfect surface to look at. The color with which it may be compared or matched may be also spread on the same piece of glass by the side of it, touching it, and then when they are viewed through the glass the difference is perfectly seen. All painters practice this. If making up a tinted paint by a formula, never put in at once the entire quantity of color called for, as colors-in-oil vary in strength. Put it in gradually and test the color from time to time in the manner iust described, until it is right. To make such paint, begin with the paste white lead, or whatever may be the principal pigment, and soften it to a rather thin paste with a little oil; then add the tinting colors, and mix thoroughly. This is the stage when proper mixing can be effected. Then add the drier, and mix well; then the rest of the oil; then the turpentine. It is well to let it stand a day before using; then strain through cheesecloth, and it is ready.

It is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to add a dry pigment to a thin paint so as to get a uniform mixture. It is also difficult to stir a thick paste, such as white lead, into a large volume of oil so as to get it uniform; like mixing flour paste with water, a little of the liquid must be mixed with the paste at first, then a little more, until it is all quite fluid; then it may be thinned.

Liquid paints are those prepared by the makers, ready for use; but all paints settle by standing and must be well stirred, and some mixed paints are purposely made too thick to be used in order that they may be thinned more or less, with oil or turpentine, as circumstances require; but most are sold ready for use.

The fundamental principle of all painting and varnishing is that successive coats should be more elastic than those to which they are applied; otherwise we get " elastic undercoat cracks" which will be described under the subject of varnishing.