Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-05-10
"House-Pafnting.'


A correspondent makes the inquiry in
the Maine Farmer as to the economy Of
using porgy oil in painting outbuildings,
houses &c. The Farmer replies thus Al
though porgy Oh has Of late come into
more general use fllan formerly. yet it has
for Il long while been used to some extent.
and a painter in this city informs us he
painted house with it seventeen years ago.
and the paint stood the weather as well as
if mixed with linseed OIL. In cold weather
porgy oil congeals. but in warm weather II
is as }impitlas linseed oil and works as CAST
". 1t is the experience Of painters in this
city, that porgy oil if used with white lead,
has a tendency to turn or yellow tie paint
hence it is not advisable to Use it for white
paint, but for that of Il different color from
white it would not OF course have this effect.
There is one thing to be taken into con-
sideration in comparing the cheapness OF
linseed and porgy oil. \ gallon of the lat
with our experience. will not do more than
two thirds as much painting as will gal
lon of the former. But We think it will
last longer: and for all kinls of out door
W LSt L toApi IL let''' IL i'iASh ~
cheaper than the linseed. 1t makes coat
ing more durable. and one that will hold
its gloss longer than the old way of using
clear linseed and white lead. While say
ing this much OH the score of economy. we
must thank the Fdaacr for lis judicious AMI
correct notions rs regards color. Pray
don't paint Your buildings white, aud then
have the blinds deep green. The con-
trast is too great. and the taste that die
tatesit is not cultivated. nor a correct ono.
Ii is true that there may be localities and
surroundings that will justify this style OF
dressing up the ''house we live in, but the
instances are rare. As to color this will
depend somewhat upon the finish OF the
building. andts size dc. \ heavily finish
ed house of large size. needs to be treated
differently from a smaller one with a light
and ornamental finish. So too, the situa-
ton, TO our notion. should have something
to do with it. 4 quiet little dwelling. nest
ling in a valley among the. trees. don't de-
serve to be painted black. nor very dark.
nor of Il dismal" color. So too a stately
mansion on the hill top should not be a
gllring white.
II some readers ask what color SHOULD
be used and also how to make it. we say.
and our say may not be worth much, use
for coloring for Your lead, lumber, burned
or unburned. terra-de sienna, chrome yellow.
With these colors you can make most any
desirable tint. One trouble is that most of
these colors fade with age. So does every
thing. But to have the paint holdits color
well. use little darker shades for the first
coatings. One can experiment with these
colors and the lead, Oh Il small scale. until
something like the color wanted is obtained.
The building will look darker after the
paint is put on than the paint did when
mixed. Do not use common yellow, nor
the common red for coloring, unless for
out-buildinSs. Do not paint your house
white. nor red, nor blue, nor green nor yell
low. Do not have too great a contrast be-
tween the color of the blinds and the build
ing OH which they arc. Do not paint in
very hot weather. no Use boiled oil, UNI
less in cold weather, when obliged to do
so to have The paint dry. Do not COM
mencc TO paint at the bottom, nor in the
middle of 4 building. but at the highest
point first. Do not paint when the clap
boards are damp. nor if they axe full of
pitch. Do not paint part ofa side of a
building. and leave it so. for you cannot af
forwards make good match" That is
after months or years. Be sure and leave
off at night where it will be easy to COM
mence in the morning without showing
that break in the time Of painting has oc-
cured.
# the good housewife wants the kitchen
foe. painted, do II OF use Japan" as Il dry
er; but get some floor paint made of white
lead, common yellow, with little chrome
yellow, and then add plenty of litharge.
and have the compound ground fine before
using. DO not fail of this.
We May not have impaired any informa-
ton in all this, nor given single hin: that
any one will care to think of. nevertheless.
we have expressed our views on a com
mon matter. and they are the best we have
AT present. Ii any one has any thing bet
tire lie or she is invited to present them.