REMODELLING OLD BUILDINGS 51 



Paint Brushes. 



The better the brush and the more carefully it is used 

 the better the work will be done, but it is not advisable 

 for the amateur to buy expensive brushes which are used 

 for a little time and then left without use to harden and 

 become worthless. The professional, who is using brushes 

 continually and cares for them in the best manner, finds 

 the best the cheapest. Ordinary cheap brushes will do 

 good work for a while and with care may be used for a 

 considerable time. Before using, brushes should be 

 soaked in water or oil, to swell the bristles and the 

 handles so that they will not pull out in using. After 

 using they should be cleaned of paint as much as possible 

 by rubbing on a coarse board or stones, and then be sus- 

 pended in water, bristles down. If a little kerosene is 

 put in the water it will help keep the brushes from hard- 

 ening. If very hard and old. a little potash put into the 

 water will soften up the hardened oil, though perhaps 

 the bristles may be somewhat softened also and made 

 less durable. 



House Painting. 



The professional house-painter will claim that his work 

 is far superior to that of the amateur, yet with a few 

 brushes and a little practice in mixing paint and putting 

 it on, any one at all skilful in the use of tools will be 

 able to do a good job of painting and often with a large 

 saving in labor bills. The aim in this work should be to 

 spread the paint evenly and to fill up all cracks and nail- 

 holes so that water or air will not penetrate. If there 

 are many large cracks and nail-holes, after the first coat 

 has hardened they should be filled up with soft putty 

 that can be pressed into small openings. 



