Painting a car requires a great amount of patience. But a fairly good job may be done by the average amateur painter, providing the work is done carefully and exactly. However, this work should be undertaken only in a warm, dry room where it is possible to keep an even temperature.
The old paint is first removed with a paint remover, or solution which is applied to the surface and allowed to penetrate into the pores. Another coat is then applied. The surface is then scraped with a putty knife until it is smooth and free from the old paint. In some cases it may be found necessary to use a blow torch to soften the old paint.
After the old paint has been thoroughly removed, the rough spots should be smoothed over with a piece of sand or emery paper, and all counter sunk screw heads, joinings, and scratches filled with putty, to make an even surface. The metal primer is applied and allowed to dry. A second coat consisting of equal parts of white lead, turpentine and boiled oil is next applied and allowed to dry. Three or four coats of color are applied next and allowed to dry. Colors come in a paste form, and may be turned into a paste by adding a little turpentine. Two coats of color and an equal amount of rubbing varnish are next applied in turn and rubbed with powdered pumice stone and water. The car is then stripped and allowed to dry, and the job finished by applying a coat of finishing varnish.
All the foreign matter and grease is removed from the running gear. The rough places are scraped and rubbed with a piece of emery paper. Two coats of metal primer are applied and allowed to dry. A coat of color varnish is applied which completes the job.
CHAPTER XLV
CARBON REMOVING
It is necessary to remove the carbon deposits from the combustion chambers and piston heads at frequent intervals in order to maintain an economical and efficient motor.
There are various methods and ways of doing this without removing the casting or cylinder head; that is, providing regular attention is given to prevent the deposit from baking and forming in a shale which can be removed only by burning or scraping.
There are a number of carbon removing compounds on the market which give excellent satisfaction, although some of these compounds may prove very harmful unless the directions are followed very carefully.
A great many owners use kerosene once or twice a month. An ounce or two may be poured into each cylinder while they are quite warm and allowed to stand for several hours. The motor is then turned over a few times which allows the kerosene to escape through the valves. The particles of carbon are blown out through the muffler when the motor is started. Others prefer to feed it into the motor through the carburetor. This is done by speeding up the motor and feeding a little at a time into the float chamber or air valve. Others use chloroform, turpentine, and alcohol in the same way.