PAINTING. 269 



include representatives of every class engaged in commercial 

 production of protective coatings. 



" The three meetings of the committee held during the year 

 have so far been confined to discussing the best methods of ob- 

 taining the desired data for a comprehensive report on this sub- 

 ject. 



" Before beginning this work it was considered necessary to 

 put in concrete form several working headings: 



" i. Requirements for a satisfactory protective metal coating. 



" 2. Methods used and suggested to determine if the protec- 

 tive coating is efficient. 



" 3. An index, with abstracts, if possible, of general and 

 current literature bearing on this subject, which has appeared in 

 English, French, German, and American publications. 



" 4. A classified list of all coatings used or suggested for the 

 protection of iron and steel. 



" Sub-committees on the first two subjects have submitted 

 reports; sub- committees on the last two subjects report progress 

 and request further time for final report. 



" The report of the sub-committee on requirements for a satis- 

 factory protective metal coating resulted in the following recom- 

 mendations: 



" IN PREPARATION OF SURFACE FOR PAINTING it is considered 

 necessary that surface be free from grease and dirt, and that 

 all detachable mill scale and rust be removed. Material which 

 cannot be removed by hammer and chisel or wire brush, it is 

 thought, will not affect the durability of the coating. The use 

 of the sand-blast is recommended, provided it is the opinion of 

 the engineer that the cost is warranted, but it is not considered 

 necessary in all cases. 



" APPLICATION OF THE PAINT. It is recommended that the 

 successive paint coatings should be as thick as possible, com- 

 patible with satisfactory spreading with the brush or machine. 

 The brush marks should flow out. The paint should not con- 



