The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-29

The pigments Of q paint film
are held together and 10 tire sur
face by An impervions combination
of OILS and reanous materials
Since oil has no affinity for water.
a paint. normally, has poor adhe-
SION when applied to = wet sur
face Accordingly. the first essen
tial in any painting program 10
to see that the surface IL dry.
Even when applied TO initiaiiy
dry surfaces. = paint viii fire.
quently lose its adhesion II the
wood. concrete OF plaster on which
IL Is applied becomes water-sosked.
Water back Of = paint film devel-
ops tremendous power which forces
the paint from the surface. causes
'peeling" or "blisters" and ruins
the protective value OF the paint.
The second essential. therefore. IL
to close sources from which mos
ture may reach the back OF = paint
film.
Some OF these sources are: Wet
ground adjacent to foundations,
hidden springs under cellar floors,
roofs that are not water-tight,
fiat cement Gaping which allows
puddles TO collect after a rain,
leaky flashing. loose or broken
siding. elogged cutters or down
spouts. and steam from kitchens
or bathrooms that condenses be-
hind the paint film Of an improp-
erly ventilated wall.
Surfaces should be elean-dust
or. dirt on the surface will spoil
the appearance OF the work. and
may at the same time prevent
solid film from forming and allow
moisture to penetrate.
Where dirt sdheres TO the sur
face. II should be scraped off and
brushed briskly with q painters
buster. All ssp-stresks or knots
should be sealed with shellac or
aluminium prior to painting.
All loose paint, or blistering and
peeling paint remaining from pre-
vious finishing, should be scraped
off or sandpapered. II a number
of thick. heavy coats have been
applied, and the surface Is "alli-
gatored" or otherwise in bad con-
dition. 1t may be necessary 10
burn off the old paint with a blow
torch. This operation requires ex-
trema care. Leaking spouts or
cutters and other possible sources
of moisture behind the film should
be repaired and the adjacent sur
face given q chance 10 dry prior
to painting. Glossy spots should
be "cut" with ssndpaper. % the
new paint coat will have proper
adhesion, and not roll up under
the brush.
In the preparation OF metal sur
faces. the path OF least resistance
lies in ignoring the presence of
rust and corrosion. These two in
fuences cause tremendous dam
age annually. Much Of II can be
prevented by q little preparatory
work.
Rust 10 likened by chemists 10
q cancerous growth. II can ac-
complish its deadly work beneath
an unmarried exterior. Removing
rust prior to painting In tedious,
time consuming work, but the in
vestment pays for itself many
times.
New metal should be painted
Immediately upon exposure TO the
elements. II allowed TO 20 un-
painted for a period Of time 10
weather" II will begin To rust
Immediately. II IL far better TO
prevent rust than TO try 10 con-
quer II after It 10 present Where
rust already exists. II should be
removed down to the bare. clean
metal, by sand-blssting. II pos
sible. or by wire brushing and
scraping. The surface should be
dry and clean. OIL and grease
should be removed by washing
with benzine or gasoline.