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

Interior Decorating

Enamels And Varnishes

ENAMELS are mainly used in rooms where it is necessary to obtain the high gloss damp resisting finish, such as in bathrooms and kitchens. Enamel paints must be applied liberally but should be well brushed out and care must be taken not to overload the work or runs may appear as the paint is drying. Enamels may be thinned slightly but as with the case of other kinds of paints, manufacturers' directions should always be closely followed. Enamels should not be applied in rooms that have low temperatures and if they are found difficult to apply, it is probably due to using the enamels in low temperature rooms; the spreading will be facilitated by placing the tin in a pan of warm water for a few minutes before the job is started. With enamel, every care should be taken to protect the work from dust and from insects. A few drops of oil of lavender on a rag placed near the work will keep flies and small insects away from the work.

Cellulose paints are gradually becoming popular as alter- natives to enamels or oil paints for interior decorating but in most cases it is necessary to apply cellulose enamels with a spray and this may be beyond the resources of the complete beginner. However, brushing cellulose enamels are manufactured and these may be used with confidence by the home decorator, but they dry very quickly and it is advisable to practise with other materials before starting on cellulose enamels.

Varnishes have many uses for the interior decorator and a coat or two of varnish will give added protection to work that is subject to heavy wear. Varnishes are made in many different grades and usually each grade of varnish is only suitable for the purpose for which it is manufactured.

The types of varnishes may be divided roughly into three main groups which are oil varnishes, spirit varnishes and water varnishes and there are many kinds in each group which are manufactured for special purposes.

Of the three groups of varnishes, oil varnishes are the most durable and hardest and these are usually known as copal varnishes. These require some time to dry and they should not be applied in rooms where temperatures are low. Turpentine varnishes are lighter in colour than oil varnishes and they are not quite as tough, although they are usually cheaper.