An even temperature is of the greatest importance in obtaining good results from varnish. Coach painters’ shops are usually kept exactly at the same heat, while dust and draughts of cold air are rigidly excluded. This is one of the reasons why coach painters are able to turn out such fine work.
Success in repainting ironwork largely depends in removing all rust, scale, etc. For this purpose, wire brushes should be used, as they greatly facilitate the operation.
Luminous paint which, if exposed to the light during the day, will give off sufficient light at night time to enable one to see the time by a watch, may be had to last several years, if protected by a piece of glass from the weather, and it is extremely useful for certain positions where it is not desired to burn a light.
Fineness of grinding is a most important quality of all tinting colours, but in none more so than in the umbers and siennas prepared for grainer’s use. It is of equal importance that the tone and colour be pure. Sometimes this class of colours are toned up with chrome, but this is objectionable, and the right tone of sienna can only be expected when the correct quality of crude earth is selected.
Tube colours are now becoming so popular among the highest class painters and decorators that the use of dry colours will soon be considered obsolete. When the colours are put in tubes, waste is almost wholly prevented, while their use keeps the colours moist for a considerable time.