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Although the home mechanic can purchase white lead, linseed oil, turpentine, and Japan drier, and mix his own paints, he will find that it is more convenient to buy ready-mixed paints, provided they are of good quality. Mixing paint is not difficult, but it requires time which the weekend painter does not always have, and all the ingredients used must be of good quality or the mixture will be poor. Beady-mixed paintWhen purchasing a ready-mixed paint, do not try to save money on a cheap product, particularly if it is to be used on exterior surfaces. A good brand of paint, properly applied, will give many years of service, while an inferior paint quickly disintegrates. If a poor quality paint is used, it will have to be removed before a new finish can be applied. This will require many hours if you do the work yourself, or considerable expense if a painter does it for you. Good paint, on the other hand, when it finally shows signs of wear, can be painted over with only a few minor surface preparations. Be wary of the all-purpose paints that, according to the advertisements, can be used on practically any material. It is wise to get the opinion of a professional painter before trying any paints other than those which have proven their worth over many years. Before applying a ready-mixed paint, read over the manufacturer's directions printed on the label of the container. These directions are provided so that the best possible results can be obtained. The manufacturer is just as anxious as you for the paint job to be a success, and these directions have been carefully prepared to make it possible for you to get the most out of the paint. Make it a practice to use each brand of paint according to the instructions furnished with it.
It is necessary to stir a can of ready-mixed paint before it can be used, because the white lead and oil tend to separate in the container. The lead sinks to the bottom of the can and the oil floats above it. The lead and oil must be thoroughly mixed before the paint can be used. Pour off the oil from the top of the can into a clean container. Stir the lead at the bottom with a clean stick into a smooth paste free of lumps. Pour the oil back into the paste, stirring as you do so. When all the oil is mixed with the lead, pour the entire contents into a second container and repeat this operation several times. Should there be any lumps in the paint at this stage, pour the paint through two thicknesses of clean cheesecloth. When mixing several cans of paint for one job, it is best to mix them all together in one large container. There is sometimes a slight variation in colour or shade between the several paints, and by putting them together you insure a uniform colour for the entire job. Replace the top on a can of paint as soon as you are finished. This will prevent evaporation, and the paint will be ready for some future use.
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