PREFACE 



A FEW years ago the producer and consumer of paints pos- 

 sessed comparatively little knowledge of the relative durability 

 of various pigments and oils. There existed in some cases a 

 prejudice for a few standard products, that often held the user 

 in bondage, discouraging investigation and exciting suspicion 

 whenever discoveries were made, that brought forth new ma- 

 terials. Such conditions indicated to the more progressive, the 

 need of positive information regarding the value of various 

 painting materials, and the advisability of having the questions 

 at issue determined in a practical manner. 



The desire that such work should be instituted, resulted in 

 the creation of a Scientific Section, the scope of which was to 

 make investigations to determine the relative merits of different 

 types of paint, and to enlighten the industry on various technical 

 problems. Paint exposure tests of an extensive nature were 

 started in various sections of the country where climatic condi- 

 tions vary. This field work was supplemented in the laboratory 

 by a series of important researches into the properties of pig- 

 ments, oils, and other raw products entering into the manufac- 

 ture of protective coatings. The results of the work were 

 published in bulletin form and given wide distribution. The 

 demand for these bulletins early exhausted the original impress, 

 and a general summary therefore forms a part of this volume. 



The purpose of the book is primarily to serve as a reference 

 work for grinders, painters, engineers, and students; matter of 

 an important nature to each being presented. Without repeti- 

 tion of the matter found in other books, two chapters on raw 

 products have been included, and they present in condensed 

 form a summary of information that will prove of aid to one 

 who desires to become conversant with painting materials with 

 a view to continuing tests such as are outlined herein. In 

 other chapters there has been compiled considerable matter from 

 lectures and technical articles presented by the writer before 

 various colleges, engineering societies, and painters' asvsociations. 



