TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON BUILDING MATERIAL 3

TIBM - 33

FCR USE IN THE DESIST ON LCW-COST HOUSING

*****

THE NATIONAL BUREAU CE STANDARDS

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT ON COMMENCE

WASHINGTON, D. C,

Sept e mber Ip, 19^6

FEDERAL SPECIFICATION PAINT PIGMENTS AND NIXING FORMULAS

This is primarily a digest cf the sections of Bureau of Standards

Technologic Paper T274, "Use of United States Government Specification

Paints and Paint Materials" (December 15, 1924) 1 "by P» H. Walker and

E, E. Hickson, and Letter Circular LC333> "Outside House Painting"

(July 11 , 1932); dealing with Federal Specification paint pigments,

and typical paint mixing formulas found in specifications prepared by

the Federal Specifications Executive Committee for paste pigments and

dry red lead.

The following papers contain additional information relative to

paint pigments, oil paints, and water paints:

TIBM

TIBM

TIBM

TIBM

TIBM

TIBM

TIBM

30 "Paint Pigments—White"

31 "Paint Pigment s—Black, Red, and Lakes"

32 "Paint Figments—Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, and

Bronze"

34 "Federal Specification Ready-Mixed Faints, Semipaste Paints and Mixing Formulas"

35 "Preparation of Paints from Paste cond Dry Pigments"

36 "Preparation of Paints from Semipaste Paints,

Thinning Ready-Mixed Paints, and Preparation

of Water Paints"

43 "Aluminum Paints"

1

Cut cf print.

2

Available from the National Bureau cf Standards, Washington, D. C,

(Free)

122239-E - 1 -

Federal Specifications are these approved by the Director of

Procurement, and are binding upon and govern all executive departments

and independent establishments of t he Federal Government in t he purchase

of supplies with due regard tc available types, grades, and sizes.

Pigments are "the fine solid particles used in t he preparation cf

paint, and substantially insoluble in t he vehicle. ”2 in general it may

be assumed that pigments composed cf very fine particles and having higher

refractive indices provide the greatest covering power and opacity. With

the exception cf red lead, it is generally advisable to purchase paint

pigments in paste form.

White Lead-^

In purchasing white lead in quantity a standard s ample for color

and color strength should be agreed upon if such properties are to be

considered in accepting or rejecting deliveries under the following

Federal Specifications:

TT-W-251a: ’'White Lead; Basic-Carbonate, Dry, Paste-In-Oil, and

Semipaste Containing Volatile Thinner”. In this specification "pastein-oil” is the usual ” stiff” or "heavy” paste white lead. " Semipaste

containing volatile thinner” is also known as "soft-pasts white lead";

it can be poured from a bucket and is therefore easier tc break up than

the stiff paste.

TT-W-2ol : "White Lead; Basic Sulphate, Dry and Paste-In-Oil”.

Use : Whits lead is the most important cf the white pigments. It is

used in light-colored paints, and is the only white pigment that may

be successfully used alone in white linseed oil paints intended for

outdoor exposures. While either basic carbonade cr basic sulphate

white had maybe used, basic carbonate is generally preferred. Basic

sulphate finds its greatest use in ready-mixed paints.

White Lead Paint Mixing Formulas : Formulas Uo. 1, 4, and 6 (page 6

cf this digest) for making white lead paints represent good average

practice for most painting operations.

White Lead Linseed Oil Paints : These paints are easy tc spread and

have good covering qualities. Drying to a comparatively sc f t film

they dc not generally decay by crackirg , but chalk, which condition

is satisfactory for repainting. Because cf their softness such paints

show a greater tendency tc take up dirt than those having harder films.

Copies cf all Federal Specifications mentioned in this digest

maybe obtained from the Superintendent cf Documents, Washington, D. C.

(Price 5 cents each).

2

Quoted from "Standard Definitions of Terms Relating tc Paint

Specifications”, American Society for Testing Materials (1933)

pp. 735-739*

^See TIBM - 30.

- 2—
Zinc Oxide

1 .1

In purchasing sine oxide in quantity a standard sample for color

and color strength should "be agreed upon if such properties ahe to he

considered in accepting or rejecting deliveries under the following

Federal Specifications:

* TT-Z-301 i " Zinc Oxide; Dry and Paste-In-Oil"

TT-Z-321 : "Zinc Oxide; Leaded, Dry and Pasts-In-Oil"

Use : Zinc oxide should not he used alone as an oil paint for outdoor

exposure. It may he used alone, however, in a varnish vehicle in the

manufacture of high-grade enamels. The hardening effect of zinc oxide

is distinctly beneficial when used with mildly chalking pigments, such

as white lead. With hadly chalking pigments, such as titanium oxide

pigment, the addition of zinc oxide is necessary to produce satisfactory 1 paints. Either American process zinc oxide or leaded zinc oxides should

ha used in mixed pigment oil paints for general use, although special

kinds are recommended for use in exterior paint formulation. For special

oil paints to resist sulphide fumes, and for white enamels, French process zinc oxide is preferred. ;

•

Zinc Oxide paint Mixing Formulas : Formulas calling for zinc oxide in

this digest are only approximations as different lots of zinc oxide,

conforming to Federal specifications practically identical in composition, vary to a great extent in their oil absorbing properties. In

preparing such zinc oxide paints the operator should mix the paint to

brushing consistency, rather than attempt to held fast to the quantitative proportions given.

Formulas lie. 1 , 4, and h (page 6) may generally he used for mixtures

of zinc oxide with at least three times as ranch white lead. With mixtures containing more zinc oxide it is advisable to increase the proportions cf the turpentine and drier.

Proportions cf zinc oxide paste specified in formulas lie. 8 and

9 are generally considered to he the maximum amounts advisable to use. Such paints are especially desirable for seashore exposures. For

average weather conditions, two parts of zinc, oxide paste mixed with

six or seven parts cf white lead past© provide durable paints.

Zinc Oxide Linseed Oil Paints ; While such paints leave been used suc- cessfully in some parts of Europe, experience in America indicates that

they are not satisfactory. Some so-called zinc oxide oil paints intended for outdoor exposure are sold in America, but these found to be

satisfactory contained large proportions cf other pigments, generally

white lead, or a mixture cf whits lead and titanium pigments.

1 See TI3M - 30. BH
Red Lead1

Federal Specification TT-R-191 "Red Lead; Dry and Paste-In-Oil."

Dry Red Lead Versus Paste Red Lead: Paste red lead is somewhat easier

and safer to handle than dry red lead. It has a tendency, however, to

harden in the container within a comparatively short time. 'Therefore,

purchasers are cautioned against "buying red lead in paste form unless

it is to be used by the contractor within three months after shipment.

As heat accelerates the tendency of red lead paste to cake cr harden,

i*t should net be stored in peaces subject to high temperatures. It is

generally safer to stock the dry form of red lead, although some excellent red lead pastes are being made today, containing 97 percent and over of true red lead.

Red Lead Paint Mixing Formulas ; Formulas given in Federal Specification

TT-R-191; using the dry form (20 pounds dry red lead, 5 pints raw linseed

oil, 2 gills turpentine, and 2 gills liquid drier), and the paste form

(20 pounds red lead paste, 3 pints raw linseed oil, 2 gills turpentine,

and 2 gills liquid drier) produce excellent paints for metal. Such paints

weight about 25 pounds per gallon.

In this digest, formulas He. 10 and 11 (page 6) are for first-coat

work on iron and steel, to be followed by a second coat of the same paint tinted with about 3/^ pound lampblack in oil, or any dark-colored

oil paint which will modify the color of the red lead. The change in

color of succeeding coats is suggested tc make it easier for an inspector

to see that the required number of coats are applied. For the third coat,

any good grade of outside paint as given in formulas No. 5? 9? 19? 24, 29,

33? cr 37 nay be used.^ As white ja ints produced from formulas No. 5? 9?

and 19 do net possess sufficient hiding power in one coat, they should be

tinted a warm gray by adding 8 tc 12 ounces of yellow ocher in oil and 4

to 8 ounces of lampblack in oil tc every 100 pounds.

Formulas He. 12 and 13 are said tc be good priming coats for weed.

Two succeeding coats of white made from formulas He. 4 and 5 ? cr Mb, 18

and 19^ will practically hide the priming coat.

Red Lead Faints : Red lead is probably the best and most generally used

pigment for first coats on all kinds of structural iron and steel surfaces. It is not commonly used for priming weed; however, as mere coats

of paint would be required tc hide its color when white or light finish

tints are desired. Rad lead linseed cil paint is the best known protection from outdoor exposure for iron and steel.

1

See TIBM-31.

^Formulas Ho. 18, 19 , 24, 29, 33? and 37 wifi be found in TIBM-3^»

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The heavier red lead paints are made , the greater protection they

afford. While paints weighing from 22 to ever 30 pounds per gallon

(containing 5^2 l/2 gallons linseed oil per 100 pounds dry red lead) are sometimes used on metal, the lighter mixtures are not recommended*

Mixtures heavier than these resulting from the specified formulas should: —

he used only in exceptional cases.

Titanium Pigment^

Use :” Although titanium pigment is exceedingly opaque, it cannot lie used

alone in an exterior wall paint because such paints will chalk excessive-- "

ly. In oil paints titanium pigment is generally mixed with from 30 to ' S

35 percent zinc oxide T»y weight. Excellent enamel paints are made from j titanium pigments in varnish vehicles., The only durable white - - paint for U3e on outdoor exposures ,that will retain its color in local- K ities subjected to excessive amounts of hydrogen sulphide, should Tie one': ;:

j, in which the pigment consists essentially of titanium pigment and zinc ?'u oxide and. which is free from lead, including any driers.

Titanium Zinc Oxide paint Mixing Formulas ! Ecrrrtulas 15

have been found to be suitable for producing such paint;

2 Yellow Ocher

and l6 (page 6)

Federal Specification; TT-0-111 "Ocher; Dry, Paste-In-Japan , and

Paste-In-Oil." It is advisable to purchase yellow ccher in oil, and tc

agree upon a standard sample of color, tone, and color strength, when

purchasing it in quantity.

*

1

See TIBM - 3§

2

See TIBM - It,

.- 5 -
PAINT MIXING FORMULAS USING FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE PASTE PIGMENTS AND DRY RED LEADA

1 *

PURPOSE

j;

FORMULA

NO.

IT'T'

PIGMENT

-«»»

RAW LINSEED

OIL q JJJ-0-336u

f ~ "

TURPENTINE

LLL-T-791 3 DRIER : APPROXIMATE

3

: YIELD

TT—0—65 1 :•

•

" 1 1

• TYPE

0

: LBS. GALLONS gallons PINTS 1 GALLONS

PR IVI NS COAly'

i» r‘

;—

WOOD »

* NEW WORK'

1 |213

* l

' a : ioo

A A C

60 4 40

A 4 0160 4 40

3 TO 4

2 TO 4

1 3/4 TO 4

2 TO 4

1 3/4 TO 2

1 3/4 TO 2

” * JT " - -J L 9 1

1 TO 2 ; 7 2/3 TO II

1 TO 2 | 6 TO 8 1/3

1 TO 2 : 6 TO 7

BODY COATS

WOOD OUTSIDE,

NEW AND

FIRST COAT

REPA 1 NT 1 NG

4

3

15

a ; ioo

A a, B : 50 A 50

3 A E:40 A 60

••

111,11 1 -

1 TO 2

1 1/2 TO 2

2 TO 2 1 /2

(

1 1/2 TO 2°

2 TO 3*

2 TO 3°

1 j 6 TO 7

4 : 7 1/4 TO 83/4

4

* 83/4 TO 10 l/4

W

•

• FINISH COATS

OUTSIDE

5

9

16

a • ioo

A A B:50 A 50

3 A E : 40 A .60

3 TO 4 1 /2

3 TO 4

4 TO 4 | /2

, . D l/8 TO |/4., I/a S W

1 : 6 1 /2 TO 7 1 /2

2 TO 3 .7 TO 8 172 4 TO 5 ! 9 |/4 TO ilO

PR IMING COATS

ON METAL

10

1 1

c ; ioo

D 5 100

3 1/8

3

5/1

D

5/l 6°

2|/2 j 5 1/4

2 1/2 : 5 3/4

FINISH COATS

6

• a : ioo

.

, £

varnish

1 l/2 TO 3

•

1/4 TO 1/2; 4 1 /A TO 6 1 /2

1 NS 1 DE FLAT TO

EGGSHELL GLOSS

PINTS

1 TO 6

Although many other mixtures may be successfully used, these are typical paint mixing

FORMULAS. The amounts given are correct for average conditions. An experienced painter will

VARY THE AM UNTS OF THE DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS TO SUIT THE NATURE OF THE SURFACE TO BE PAINTED,

WEATHER CONDITIONS, ETC.

FEDERAL SPECIFICATION NUMBER.

CType of pigment

A-PASTE WHITE LE^D . 3As!C CARBONATE ( T T-W-25 1 a ) GENERALLY PREFERRED. 3ASIC

SULPHATE (TT—W—26l) MAY 3E USED. IF SOFT-PASTE WHITE LEAD (sEMIPASTE CONTAINING

VOLATILE THINNER) IS USED. THE RECOMME NDED PRACTICE IS TO REDUCE BY I QUART THE AMOUNT OF TURPENTINE CALLED FOR IN THE FORMULAS. ONE HUNDRED POUNDS PASTE WILL

OCCUPY ABOUT 2 2/3 GALLONS.

5-PA STE ZINC OXIDE: . (TT-Z-30! ) OR PASTE Z I NO OXIDE, LEADED (TT-Z-32l). FIFTY

POUNDS WHITE LEAD p'a^TE AND 50 POUNDS Z I 4p OxTdE PASTE’*w' I LL 'o<MjPY ABOUT 3 I /4

gallons. V. jr C-DRY RED LEAft ( T T—R— 1 9 1 ) . ONE HUNDRED POUNDS DRY RED LEAD WILL OCCUPY ABOUT

I I /3 GAT. LONS.

’ D-PASTE RED LEAD (TT-R-|9|). One HUNDRED POUNDS PASTE RED LEAD WILL OCCUPY

about 2-r/fc. satwrarn

E-RASTE TITANIUM PIGMENT. ONE HUNDRED PQUNDS PASTE TITANIUM PIGMENT W I LL OCCUPY ABOUT 4* 1/2 GALLONS. JT770-P0UND MIXTURE (60$ TITANIUM, 40$ ZINC 0X1 BE) WILL

OCCUPY ABOUT 47 I /4 GALLONS.

^VOLATILE MINERAL SPIRITS (TT—T—29l ) MAY BE USED IN PLACE OF TURPENTINE IN THIS

FORMULA.

^Either water-resisting spar varnish (tt-v-i2ia) or interior varnish (tt-v-7i) may

BE USED.

NOTE — IN NEARLY ALL OF THESE FORMULAS, EXCEPT THOSE FOR PRIMING COATS ON NEW WOOD, A MIXTURE of I /3 TO I /2 BOILED LINSEED OIL AND THE REMAINDER RAW LINSEED OIL MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE RAW OIL, OMITTING THE DRIER.

-6-

)
Conclusions

Cost and. Durability

Dark-colored paints are less expensive and mere durable than white ' or light-colored paints.

I'rcn Oxide Linseed Oil ’’paint meeting Federal Specif4£q.tipp3 will last much longer than any white linseed oil paint.

Tinted paints are more durable than the basic white paint' untinted.

Cream, ivory, and tan tints are more durable than sky, blue. White or light-tinted paints must contain' expensive white pigments to be satisfactory. - ' ;

White Lead versus Ready-Mixed White Paint ; When painting is done by a •* skilled painter or under skilled supervision, the straight white lead

linseed oil paint, generally mixed on the job is more "fool-proof" and

safer to use, as painters generally know more about handling white lead

paint than they do about mixed paints. In mixing white lead linseed oil

paints, the- amounts of oil given, in the formulas on page 6 of this digest, should never be exceeded. Better results will be obtained by using

the lower limits in the .amount of oil.,

Lead-Zinc paint meeting Federal Specification TT-P-36’ will' probably be as good as, and in some respects may be more desirable than, straight white

lead paint, particularly for tinted paints.

Titanium-Zinc Paint : A properly made mixed white paint with a pigment

approximating 7 percent titanium oxide, 5^ percent white lead, 25 percent

zinc oxide, and 10 percent extender should give excellent service (see

Federal Specification TT-P-lOla, Type A).

Seashore or Marine Exposures : It is frequently advisable, particularly

at the seashore, .to add from 1 pint to 1 quart of water-resisting spar

varnish to each gallon of paint' just before it is applied. It is not

advisable to add varnish to paints for undercoat work.

. -qc 'of Jd w.o [ r Quick-Drying House Paints : The purpose of such paints is to obtain a

quicker drying product than the regular linseed oil -type., and ono that

holds its luster and color better than the usual house paint-. They

frequently contain synthetic resins and Hi gib- strength opaque white

pigments, such as titanium pigments. For solid colors,"'pure , highstrength pigments are preferred. Others contain hi-ghr*Hrding white

pigments (with substantial amounts of. white lead), in a vehicle, the

drying oils of which are a blend cf about 80-90 percent linseed and

10-20 percent tung (china wood) oils. A part of t he oil is added in a thickened form.

- 7