CHAPTER IX
RESULTS OF PITTSBURG TESTS
The First Annual Inspection of the Pittsburg Test Fence took place during May, 1909, a little over one year after the painted panels had been placed in position. The inspectors found that in Pittsburg a heavy deposit of soot had formed on the panels, and they considered it therefore inadvisable to make a detailed report of the inspection until the second year of the exposure. The general results of the Pittsburg inspection as reported by the three committees[19] having supervision over the work, is, however, given herewith.
[19] J. H. James, Chairman Test Fence Committee, Carnegie Technical Schools.
A. C. Rapp, Chairman Fence Committee, Pittsburg Branch Pennsylvania State Association of Master Painters.
R. S. Perry, Director Scientific Section, Paint Manufacturers’ Association of the U. S.; H. A. Gardner, Asst. Director.
Pittsburg Test Fence
During the inspection of the Pittsburg tests it was decided to condemn the lithopone panels on the fence, which consisted of formulas 21 to 27, including panels 151 to 164 in white, 131 to 144 in yellow, 109 to 122 in gray. Almost complete failure had taken place in every case where lithopone had been used. These lithopone tests were later on replaced by new tests which are described later in this book.
“Wood Most Valuable for Test. As on the Atlantic City Fence, the white pine panels afforded the best results and gives the best indication of the comparative wearing of the paints and affords no unfair condition, such as other woods might offer, to interfere with the test.
“Condition of Cypress. Cypress showed inferior conditions, except that it was more pronounced and more discoloration of the panels was noticed on this grade of wood, which seems to be extremely greasy in nature and difficult to properly prime, even when the paint used upon this wood contains a large percentage of volatile diluent.
“Removal of Lithopone Panels. The Joint Committees confirmed the previous recommendation to remove all the lithopone formulas, and they decided to remove the cypress and the yellow pine panels in every formula except in the white paints.