Page:Cyclopedia of Painting-Armstrong, George D (1908).djvu/406



Do not expect the paint to do all the work. It won't.

No paint manufacturer can make one paint which will meet every requirement.

Judgment must be used as to the surface to be painted.

Never use a cheap primer. The priming coat should be of the best. It is the foundation upon which all subsequent coats must be built.

The best paint, if properly applied or applied over a surface not in condition to receive paint, will not give good results.

A successful painter is one who makes a thorough study of the work on hand and knows what is necessary to use in order to produce the best results. If oil or turpentine is needed, he should know when and how much.

Good results can not be obtained on poor lumber.

Moisture is the bane of the painter and paint manufacturer. Possibly more trouble can be traced to moisture than to any other cause of paint going wrong.

Paint will blister, peel and scale if the surface painted contains moisture.

Moisture is always present in improperly seasoned or green lumber. It is often present because of defective window casings, leaky down spouts and freshly plastered walls.

It is important that the foundation should have ventilators or windows, so that there will be a free circulation of air underneath the buildings to carry off the dampness. If this precaution is not taken, the dampness will go up through the space between the plastering and siding and the sun and warm air will draw it through to the outside, causing the paint to blister, peel and scale.

Mildew is another serious trouble. This is a vegetable growth and is always a sure indication of dampness.