In the extensive factories of this firm at Leigh, Lancashire, dipping by immersion has been successfully carried on for some years past. Various agricultural implements are dipped bodily in a tank of paint which is fitted with a worm agitator, and is of simple construction. The iron parts are dipped separately, being supported on suitable hangers, while the very small parts are placed in wire baskets for immersion.
Phillips and Son.
The paint dipping plant at these works, which are situated at Sherbourne Street, Birmingham, has been in successful operation for some years past and is applied principally to bedsteads.
The tank holding black japan measures about 5 feet by 18 inches and is some 9 feet deep. The bedstead head and foot are separately dipped by hand into the tank which contains black japan, and are immediately hung on a hook attached to a slowly travelling chain. This chain runs around a rectangular space, and beneath is a metal lined dripping floor. The stove is located diagonally from the tank, so that by the time the bedstead parts reach it the dripping has ceased and they are ready to be baked. The stoving is done at 320° F., and is continued all night. One coat is found to be ample.
A very ingenious arrangement is in use for the application of coloured enamels. Three shallow tanks are mounted on rollers running in angle irons one above the other in such a manner that any one tank may be pulled out when required for use free from the others.
As a rule three coats are given for white work and two for green, blue and most other colours. No white lead is used, but only non-poisonous colours. The stoving is done mostly overnight at a temperature of 250° F. A little rubbing down between coats is done with very fine glass or emery paper. The japans are made by Messrs. Thornley & Knight.
In these works safes are painted, but the work is all done by hand.
The Ford Motor Company.
The extensive works of this company, at Trafford Park, Manchester, contain as complete a plant for painting, japanning, enamelling and varnishing, as it has been the pleasure of the author to inspect.
With characteristic thoroughness every detail which will ensure a first class finish with a minimum of time and labour has been thought out and applied. The result is that not only is every part dealt with most expeditiously but one coat of paint is applied to the whole outer surface of a motor body in the almost incredibly short time of two minutes. Further details will be found in this book under the heads of "Flowing-on," "Motor Parts," and "Iron Rods."