186 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



removed. The surface is then covered evenly with paint, 

 and allowed to dry thoroughly. 



Second Coat. — Let nail-holes, cracks, etc., be filled Avith 

 putty ; for colored painting, red-lead putty is the best. 

 The paint should be mixed to the thickness of thin cream, 

 and laid on evenly^ but not in too great quantities. In nice 

 work, after this coat has thoroughly dried, it should be 

 rubbed do^sni with pumice-stone or fine sand-paper. The 

 third coat is to be laid on as was the second. Three coats, 

 at least, are required for good painting. Four or five will 

 be still better. 



Paint mixed with boiled oil usually has a glossy ai:)pear- 

 ance. If it is desired to increase this, small portions of 

 varnish are added. This is usually confined to outside 

 work. 



In cities the glossy surface of paint, is dis-esteemed for 

 inside work ; and instead, a flatted white is laid on. This 

 is produced by mixing the lead for the last coat with tur- 

 pentine instead of oil, by which a dull white is made. 

 Flatted colors are not susceptible of being cleaned by wash- 

 ing more that once or twice, whereas common paint will 

 endure washing, if carefully performed, for years. If paint- 

 ing is well done^ and the paint is of the best materials, it 

 ought to last twenty years. But the trash too often 

 daubed upon buildings, does not last five years. 



White will keep its color best for outside work. Some 

 tint is thought to be more agreeable for inside work. Much 

 judgment is required in preparing colored or tinted paints; 

 and verbal directions cannot well be given for it in any 

 moderate space. The usual pigments employed in making 

 up the tints most in fashion, are for grey — white lead, 

 Prussian blue, ivory black, and lake, or Venetian red ; for 

 pea and sea greens — white, Prussian blue, and yellow ; for 

 olive green — white, Prussian blue, umber, and yellow 

 ochre ; for fawn color — burned terra sienna, umber, and 

 white. 



