462 HOUSE PAINTING. 



serviceable from its elasticity. In the country, many paint 

 their roofs and out-buildings in the same way, using some- 

 times Venetian red from its brightness. 



Many complaints are continually made that white lead, 

 and colors composed thereof, do not endure, and are quickly 

 beaten off by exposure to the sun and rain. This difficulty 

 occurs as much from the manner of using the paint as from 

 its quality. As this occurs in outside work, it is to be at- 

 tributed, first, to the condition of the work to be painted, 

 being generally in such a state as to absorb the oil from the 

 first coat, thereby leaving it in a dusty state, and liable to 

 be washed of by the first rain. This can be guarded 

 against, only by filling the old work, in painting two thin 

 coats over it, one upon the other, as soon as dry ; and fin- 

 ishing it with one thicker coat, to protect it and shed the 

 rain. A fourth coat, if the immediate expense is not 

 heeded, will repay its cost in additional service and beauty. 



The white lead can be procured of any requisite quality 

 at the color stores. It is thought that the best article is 

 the most economical, as it works out with more ease, and 

 repays the difference of cost in its appearance. Linseed 

 oil is also better for having due age, for the same reasons as 

 the white lead, working with softness and advantage after 

 parting with the water which is generally combined with 

 new oil. 



The quality and fineness of the white lead used adds 

 materially to the work, and that which is well ground, and 



