Paint-brushes, when new, and before using, should be wrapped with strong twine and soaked in water. After using they should be cleaned with spirits of turpentine and put away in a vessel containing water, in order to keep them pliable.
PAINTS, LACQUERS, ETC.
Waterproof Paint.—A solution of pure india-rubber in linseed-oil, ground with pure graphite into a thick, elastic, smoothly flowing paint.
Flexible Paint for Canvas.—Dissolve 2½ pounds of yellow soap in 1½ gallons of boiling water. Grind while hot with any good oil-paint.
Varnish for Harness.—India-rubber, ½ pound; spirits of turpentine, 1 gallon. Dissolve enough to make it a jelly; then take equal quantities of good hot linseed-oil and the above mixture, incorporate well over a slow fire, and it is ready for use.
Linseed-oil Varnish.—Boil any quantity of linseed-oil for an hour, stir in until dissolved 4 ounces of powdered rosin to each pound of oil; then add 1 ounce spirits of turpentine to each pound of oil; cool and strain. It is cheap, a good preservative of wood, and stands hot water well.
Lacquer for Iron Ordnance.—Coal-tar (of good quality), 2 gallons; spirits of turpentine, 1 pint; the turpentine to be added in small quantities during the application of the lacquer. The surface of the metal must be first cleaned with a scraper and a wire brush, if necessary, and the lacquer applied hot, in two thin coats, with a paint-brush.
Lacquer for Bright Ironwork.—Boiled linseed-oil, 80.5 parts; litharge, 5.5 parts; white lead ground in oil, 11.25 parts; pulverized rosin, 2.75 parts. Add the litharge to the oil; let it simmer over a slow fire for three hours; strain it and add the rosin and white lead; keep it gently warmed, and stir until the rosin is dissolved. Apply it with a paint-brush.
Lacquer for Brasswork.—Alcohol (95%), 2 ounces; seed-lac, 1 ounce. Put in glass for six days, exposed to the light; shake well once each day. Apply with brush while work is hot.
To Attach Leather to Metal.—Coat the metal with a hot solution of glue and the leather with a hot solution of nut-galls.