Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-19
4 Few go ssar.ls on PaInli,.-

There is nothing ia domestic or Out-toor
life 50 common so constantly before oi,r
eyes as painted surfaces; yet, there prevails
a general ignorance Of the nature and COM
position of paints, and of the proper and
economical use of the same.
If house-painting consisted of merely coy
ering the woodwork of adwelling with one
or more coats of white paint, to speak of il
as slime arts" would hardly be iustifable:
but so far is such from being the case. that
to conduct successfully the business of
painting in our cities and larue
towns, requires the exercise of
those faculties which, in general
acceptation, are supposed to distinguish the
artist from the mechanic. An eve prolnpt
by nature and education to distinguish the
nice gTadatiOns of cOlOrs and harmonic
them with each other, and with the sur
roundingS, is an indispensable requisite in
the hOuse-painter of the present day.
The fact cannot be too forcibly impressed
on the minds Of all who may Re Cngaged
in the business of painting, that GOOD re-
suits can be produced only by the use of
good materials; the best are ALWAYS The
cheapest. The main expense in painting
is not in the cost Of the paint, but in that
of labor and oil; and it requires more Ia
Dor TO apply the worst than to apply the
best thai can be obtained.
The experienced eye can with difficulty
detect the difference between eolors which
are pure and those which are highly
a1ulterated, the only test being actual use
and application.
~ stitch IN time saves nine in q some
what trite saying, but nevertheless. we'll
worthy Of consideration, and in nothing
connected with building has il more signifi-
canoe than in the matter Of tin roof.
For fiat roof, tin is bevOnd
question the most economical covering
that can applied. If not neglected.
it is absolutely indestructible by external
influences, and will last a hundred wears in
as good condition as when first laid on. if
kept well painted. Yet there are TODAY. in
the city of Nashville, hundreds of roofs I'M
dergOing the process of slow corrosiOn and
decay, because of the want of a little time
ly attention. The renewing of a tin roof
is attended with a considerable outlay of
money, and no small amount of incOn-
venience and trouble. A rain storm dur
ing the process may involve the ruin Of
hundreds Of dollars worth of goods. To
avoid this, in many cases, some nOstrum-
yender, who adyertises to cure leaky roofs
for small consideration, is allowed to cover
the neglected hOusetOp with a coating Of
tar and sand, warranted to remain tight for
five years. This temporary expedient.
however, like most tempOriZing, proves a
costly experiment, and time soon shows
the second state of that roof to be worse
than the first: For such neglect there is
but one remedy, a new roof and promise
Of better attention in the future. Tin on
a house top should be well painted once in
four wears.
The writer has learned from experience
that the finest yellow ochre is the
most economical pigment tlas can
be used for the purpose. If, as
IS sometimes the case in country houses.
where the roof is a conspicuous object in
the architecture Of building, a dark color
be Indispensable, Venetian red, darkened
with lampblack, is recommended as the
most desirable and economical. The poor
est oil paint, however, is better than neg-
lect, and the best economy consists in
keeping tin entirely and thoroughly pro-
tected from the cOrOding influence of
dampness.
The writer has been at loss to under
stand why men, as a rule, ordinarily prac-
tice niggardly economy in respect to the
painting of their houses, while exhibiting
proiuse liberality in most other house
decorations and embellishments, such rs
carpets, hangings, furniture, SC.
An owner having decided upon the re-
painting of his dOmicile, impressed with
the idea that the proper thing TO do is 10
call upon all the trade, far and near, with
the request that they come over and view
his premises, preparatory TO furnishing es-
Inmates as to how the work may be done.
it being understood that the painter who
makes the lowest figures viii get the Job.
There is much latitude in the way of
quality and kind IN hOuSe-painting, grain
ing particularly. 4 srainer NAV paint
side Of door with an expenditure Of ten
cents worth Of labor, OF he may bestow ten
dollars worth Of labor on the same surface,
and he may finish Il with varnish which
cost him one dollar gallon, or with var
nish which cost him six dollars per gallon.
In view Of these facts, it seems a little
unreasonable that a proprietor having
chosen the cheapest thing offered, should
find fault because the grained work is spoiled
by cracking Of the VaTnish, and that the
blinds fade almost before the painter turns
his back on his completed job. No person,
even in having his hOusepainted, should ex-
pect TO receive for his money more than it
is worth; and cheap thin-s are, rs rule.
the dearest in the end. That this is espec-
Tally tree Of paints and painting, the writer
knows from closest observation. and an
every day experience Of many years. One
Of the most serious difficulties with which
the employing painter contends. is that Of
obtaining the services Of skillful, reliable
wOrkmen during what is called the busy
season. This grows out Of the fact.
partly, that large proportion
Of repainiiRg is crowded into the brief sea-
son Of spring, and partly from the idea that
once generally prevailed, and which unfor-
tunately obtains now TO some extent, that
anybody can 10 plain painting, and that
the AIT of mixing and laying on Of cOlOrs,
requires less skill, and is more easily &C
quired than skill and dexterIty in other
trades; that WOrsmen fresh from the shoe
makers bench, the tanner, the blacksmith.
the labOrer and Whitewater take TO the
paint brush, rs if the same were a natural
and proper transition. The painting Of a
however poor and mean the Struc-
tuTe, affords some opportunity for display
OF taste. \ man may perform the mechan-
lcai pant in the operation OF painting fault
leSsly, and yet be entirely wanting in the
faculty to arrange and dispose colors in
harmonious combination. SQUIEs.