Evening star., 1923-06-10
THE OWNER-DRIVER'S
COLUMN.

When the body, wheels and axles
of car have been cleaned of all dirt
and grease the amateur painter
should turn his attention to the job
of filing cracks. removing dents and
touching up bare spots.
The only way to remove dent in
the metal of body or tenders is from
the inside. This means perhaps the
removal of some of the upholstering,
which should be carefully done. Use
n rawhide mallet or one of lead to
hammer out the dent, having, at the
same time, man holding a block of
wood against the outside. Holes and
cracks in body metal should be
scraped to bright metal, then filled
with solder and filed level. This is
better than putty, though putty can
be used in cavities where it can't
drop out.
has been accidentally knocked off or
worn is next in order. Thoroughly
clean the spot of all rust by the use
Of sand paper or. better still, emery
bright. metal a bit with fairly coarse
sand paper so that it will offer better
anchorage for the paint.
Making the Mixture.
Mix a little red lead or white lead
with enough Of a mixture of one part
raw linseed oil and three parts tur-
pentine to make good painting con-
drier or coach Japan. also a bit of
the proper tinting color. ground in
Japan to match the old paint.
Apply three or four coats of this
primer to the spots. to be treated,
san1raperinr with size @ sandpape..
between each coat, the last coat
should be rubbed down with pumice
stone on a piece of wet felt. This
prepares bare spots for whatever
he rest of the body Is to receive.
II the body is to have a varnish
coat only, then 1t may be necessary
to match the old color more carefully
han Is possible with lead paint. For
the last coat, one of japan color of
1hinned with turpentine. When COL
ors other than black are to be match
I'd this may require mixing japars
of different colors to match. This is
can be tried outs on the car body in
a small way to see how they match,
then wipe them off before dry with
cloth wet with turpentine.
For Rubbing Surface.
For rubbing surface previous to
applying a touch-up varnish coat the
best thing to use is powdered pumice
on piece of water-soaked felt. Dip
the wet felt into fat dish contain
ing little ground pumice and rub
a spot no larger than can be COM
pleted without applying fresh pumice.
This leaves smoother surface be-
cause fresh pumice scrat tches more
deeply than will the worn material.
How long to rub? is a question the
beginner finds hard to answer-but
f~. %nV = f~I~
bing should be done to remove the
gloss of the varnish and dirt. All
that is wgnted is a dull. smooth and
clean surface: and more than this
The patch to be rubbed, then rub.
using a little pressure and a circular
motion till the spot ishoWs an even
dullness upon sponging off with
water, and drying with a chamois.
A little experimenting will be
necessary to get the right amount,
but it is not hard and the main thing
is not to rub too much. Corners,
ridges and holdings will be rubbed
bare unless great care is taken to
molding or corner, always approach
these with a circular motion which
includes part OF the panel incloseG by
the edge.
Should Remove Wax.
n wax has been used on the car as
a polish, il is best removed before
rubbing with a rag soaked in tur-
pentine, which has been warmed by
placing the can in hot water. Before
the turpentine has dried off rub the
wax off with dry cloth. A few ap-
plications of this, may be necessary.
The surface may then be rubbed as
described above.
When the rubbing has been COM
pleted the surface must be thor
oughly washed with clean water, US
ing brand-new sponge, or one which
was never used on grease. Use a
clean paint brush. with fairly stiff
bristles to remove all bits of dust and
sand from cracks and crevices around
the car surface. Particular attention
should be paid to such joints as fend-
ers and body; also body and chassis.
The varnish brush will reach in and
drag out any dirt particles hidden in
them and when such Is the case a
good Job is impossible. The washed
parts should now be allowed to dry
for twelve hours before paint or var
nish is applied.
u.cn n@n1 n~~I