The Priming Coat 175 



painting, so much of the oil of the paint will be 

 taken up by the wood that there will not be 

 enough left to bind the mineral matter of the 

 paint to the wood. This is especially the case 

 where an attempt is made to complete the paint- 

 ing by the application of but two coats, in which 

 case, the first or prime coat must contain rela- 

 tively much mineral material and little oil, and 

 must be spread thickly if the surfaces are to be 

 well covered by the two coats. Not infrequently, 

 the outside woodwork is swollen and somewhat 

 displaced by rains before the roof is in place. 

 Even after it has dried out the ideal conditions 

 are not secured. The roof should be placed as 

 soon as the siding is completed, or if possible 

 before. The carpenter should put on the first, 

 or prime, coat as fast as the house is sided ; 

 that is, the woodwork which has been placed 

 from one scaffold or stage should be painted 

 from the scaffold before the one above is con- 

 structed. The corner boards, window sash, and 

 frame should receive one coat of paint before 

 they leave the shop. The prime coat ma}^ be of 

 yellow ochre mixed with some white lead, since 

 the after painting with the desired color will 

 cover the yellow if two coats be applied. Good 

 yellow ochre is a most durable paint when prop- 

 erly mixed and spread, although it may be said 

 that the more white lead used in the prime coat 



