The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-11-06
The Care of Carriages.

The editor of the Wagon Maher in a
recent interview with a prominent Chicago
carriage builder gained the following in
formation relative to the care of all painted
vehicles.
The Jehu's Decalogue or Ten Command
ments, as he terms his ten "Don'ts' runs
as follows:
1. Don't forget that the preservation of
the colors of painting and lining of car
riage depends in great measure upon the
way in which it is housed. The barn
should be airy and dry, with a moderate
admission of light, otherwise the eolors will
be affected. Do not let the vehicle be
rolled near brick wall, as the dampness
of the wall will fade the colors and destroy
the varnish. Direct sunlight should not
strike upon it through the windows, which
should therefore be curtained or otherwise
screened. The coach house should not be
connected with the stable or next the manure
pit, since the ammonia fumes rising from
the stalings will do more to crack and ruin
varnish, and ruin colors Of paint and lining,
than all other causes put together.
2. Don't be in too great hurry to use
your vehicle when you have it delivered
either at first or after it has been revarnish.
The change of temperature from the factory
to your coach house especially if
you have been in hurry to get possession
of it-affect the varnish Let it stand
unused for some few days, washing it with
cold water, drying off carefully, and letting
:. ...x.l - d. eboJo 1ybora oold oir will
circulate freely. This will insure the
hardening and brilliancy of the varnish.
g. Don't use the same sponge and cha
mois leather for washing the panels and
under parts and wheels of carriage.
When washinga carriage, keep it out of the
sun. Take care not to wet the Innings, 1t
cleaning off with a hose. For washing the
body panels use large, soft sponge, well
saturated, which squeeze over the panels, so
that the dirt will flow off with the water as
it runs down. Use second sponge for the
underparts and wheels, and carefully dry
each part with its special chamois.
4. Don't allow mud to dry on new or
newly vanished carriage; spots and stains
will be the invariable result if you do.
5. Don't use spoke brush for cleaning
the wheels and under parts of vehicles,
even when you are tolerably confident that
all mud has been removed. If any grit is
left on either wheel or brush, it will scratch
off the varnish and spoil the gloss as badly
as if sandpaper had been used to do the
work.
6. Don't allow water to dry of itself on
vanished surface, as this will produce
stains. Remove all moisture with the
chamois leather only, after the soft spokge
has been used.
Z. Don't use hot water or soap on var
nished surface.
s. Dontlet leather-top carriages lie long
unused with the top down, but raise it oc-
casionally, taking off the strain on the
leather and web-stay by slightly ''easing"
the joints. Frequently unroll the aprons
also. If the leather is enameled, it may
be washed occasionally with weak soapy
water-not first scrubbed with wetted soap
and the lather then removed with the
hose
g. Don't omit to take precaution against
moths in cushions and Innings. In the
case of close carriage, set a saucer of
spirits of turpentine and camphor on the
floor, draw up all the glasses and close the
DOORS This will prevent moths from doing
damage, and often cure when neglect has
to be remedied.
TO- Don't neglect to examine the axles
frequently See that they are well oiled,
and that the washers are in good order.
When they require oil, use sperm oil, such
as is always in the sewinglSsaohine drawer.
Sweet oil will gum up, and should meyer
be used. When putting on the axle nuts,
be careful to fit the thread properly, not
crossing or straining it. Occasionally in
spect the entire vehicle. If a bolt or a
clip seems getting loose, tighten it up at
once with the wrench If the tires of the
wheels slacken, so that the joints of the
fellows can be seen, have them shrunk at
once; and whenever little repair becomes
necessary or even advisable, have it done
at once, and by some one who knows how
to do it.