Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-25
Painting Tin Roofs.

Tin roofs, as every one knows who has them
On any part OF his premises, are constant care
and vexat1en. Eternal vigilance Is the price OF
their preservation. Even when kept WELL
Painted they have way OF giving out" here
aud there In eccentric and unexpected fashion.
1t would seem, indeed that the ordinary meth
odS OF painting them are at fault aud that
some OF the metallic paints and other COM
POUNDS recommended for the purpose, though
well enough SO far as outward appearances are
concerned, are not suited 70 preserving me- ais
from oxidation. correspondent OF the Gu
Uort.id Architect gives some facts and hints on
This subject, which are, In our opinion, well
worthy OF consideration. The folio wing is the
practical portion OF bis article:
All fine preparations OF the carDonates and
oxides Of lead or copper are unsuitable for this
purpose, for the reason that pure oxide, when
applied TO other metals, viii assist In the action
or the elements TO oXidize the metals they cover.
The vehicle Of all good paint Is boiled or raw
linSeed OIL, and th1s when uhickened with pig
lnents. covers less given space; and the mate
Hal being an oxide, holding more oil than is
impaired TO the surface TO be painted. soon
throws on Its share and is ready to absorb the
afr ana convey IL TO the body OF the metal, where
natural corr0si0n will take place, and then The
Two oxides unite chemically. IN other words,
all paints, In the absence OF a solvent, which
time soon releases them Of, act upon iron or tin
as filter, feeding the porous spots with mos
ture, like porous plaster Of rust; and as ike
produces its kind, the decomposed metals work
Ike happy FAMILY. and roll In beds Of rust.
This fact is observable on fiat surfaces, or La
cutters where Inequalities occur Here the fine
Gust or powder collects; ana keeps the water IN
them until the oil is Gecomposed; then the work
Of oxidation commences.
There is another fruitful source from which
rust on the upper or under side OF roofing tin
comes, and that Is mixing paints In common,
caeap oils OF Kerosene, containing sulpauric
acid. This Oil never dries. IL may harden the
film OF paint, SO as to allow the acid it contains
Co corrOde the tin, and the best paint In the
world on the opposite side cannot prevent the
acfd-eaten holes from coming through. aud
Judge the effect where both sides happea TO re.
GIVE the same potent mixture!
The best paint for tin or from is composed OF
pure llnseed oil and earthly ochres, red or yell
low. The coarser granulaJed powders are best
as pigment as they offer less air holes, and
give nrmer hold for the oil on the grits, ana
Illus bend them to the metal. The oil In this
manner gets close TO the metal, and offers re-
sistance 10 the air In removing the atoms from
IFS cohesion. Beware OF all metallic oxides or
mineral paints. especially On lofty towers or
inaccessible coverings OF metal
Roofing tin should. when laid be kept clean
from wihdfalia OF dust, and painted once In
every Two or three years. by the dsy-never oy
contract Metals applied In the angles OF roofs
as Hastings. where shingles are laid oenlnl
parapet walls, should be well painted on oosh
laps puttfed and painted and thus cut on leaks
Ia corners switch no teller can f1nd out"
woodwork never should be allowed 10 close
down on the metal; oat insead sp zee OF one
paint can be easily applied 70 all Hastings on
all sides. ana where the dust can be easily
swept out Many. troublesome leaks occur
from the base or oalustrades shutting down 50
close that dirt Is completely imprisoned, and
consequently IN time decomposition sets fn,
aud the metal coverings are ruined. Bay win
dows, with balconies or with other ornaments.
II put on with an idea OF pernanency. should
reach every angle nook or corner, and thus
save thousand :eaka