Gold-leaf is applied in the manner already explained (page 9), but with oil gold-size. Plain vermilion, used in the same way as size, is said to answer the purpose equally well. Bessemer's gold paint only answers for a time, as it soon becomes discoloured on metal.
Number of Coats of Paint.
Letters painted in white will require three coats of colour; in blue and green, at least two; in black, two coats.[11] Vermilion is generally brighter if laid on in sufficient quantity at once, without retouching.
The writer has occasionally had the colours mixed for use by a village-painter, but this would only be done on an emergency.
Best Colours for Effect.
For effect, it is best not to employ many colours; red and black, with a little blue or green, invariably look best at a distance.
Quatrefoil Border.
Borders.
Elaborate borders on zinc scrolls are quite unsuitable; an edge of quatrefoil (three-quarters of an inch in depth), or something equally simple, having by far the best effect; this also must not be placed too near the letters, or it will interfere with the distinctness of the text. The border should be drawn at the edge of the zinc, unless the ground-colour contrast with the wall, in which case a narrow margin may be left.