An erroneous idea prevails in some quarters that to install a paint dipping or a paint spraying plant will involve a considerable expenditure. As a matter of fact, if the work is of a simple character, and the articles to be dealt with small, an expenditure of something like £25 will be sufficient for the purpose. For example, a small tank, with a draining board attached, would cost less than the sum mentioned, even when the overhanging plant was included. As such work is usually done in engineering shops, the lifting apparatus and the rails, can easily be made on the premises. In some cases the lifting plant even might be dispensed with, and the articles, such as paint cans, could be dipped by hand. A spraying plant need not be expensive, and £25 to £40 will cover the expense of spraying apparatus, compressor for air spray, exhaust and everything else. This, however, refers to a small plant. More extensive installations would, of course, cost very much more, but whatever they may cost, it may be accepted as a fact that, within reasonable limits, the outlay will be fully returned in two or three years' working at most.

In the following pages an attempt has been made to cover the whole subject of painting by mechanical means. Many plants are described and illustrated, and some lengthy explanation is given of the requirements of different trades or goods. In many cases these have really nothing to do with the painting proper, but success depends upon the system adopted for handling and conveying.

Take, for example, celluloid buttons, which are usually sprayed. They are placed in wire trays made specially for the purpose, the bottom side uppermost. These are first sprayed all over with a spirit paint, and when sufficiently dry to handle, say, in a quarter of an hour, they are all turned over and the top sides are sprayed. The wire trays and a handy cabinet to contain them are the important details in this case.

List of the Principal Products to which Paint
Spraying and Paint Dipping are Applied.

In addition to the above, paint is applied by spraying for many artistic purposes, such as for show cards, photographic work, lithography, church decoration, etc. These are referred to in another chapter.