Handyman Guide > Using Calcimine

Calcimine can be purchased, ready-mixed, in powder form and only requires the addition of water before it is ready for use. Follow the directions on the paekage carefully, as there are some brands of calcimine which are mixed in hot water while others require cold water.



Be sure to mix the calcimine in a metal container, not one that is made of wood. Wood absorbs the glue that is the binder for calcimine, and the mixture remaining would be worthless. :Make certain that the pail is clean and the brush free of dirt and dust. Before using, strain the mixed calcimine through a piece of wet cheesecloth to remove any lumps or other bits of undissolved matter.

Once you start to apply calcimine, finish the job as quickly as possible. Have everything ready so there will be no unnecessary interruptions, such as moving furniture or covering a portion of the floor. These matters should be accomplished before you begin painting. When doing an entire room, start with the ceiling. This will require some kind of a scaffold. An old table of sufficient height, or two stepladders with a plank between them, will serve. As it will be necessary to move the scaffold several times, do not use one that is too heavy or complicated.

Calcimine should be rather thicK for brushing. A second coat cannot, as a rule, be applied; accordingly, the first coat must fully cover the - plaster. If the paint is too thin, or the coat brushed out too thin, the cover will not be adequate; this usually means removing the first coat and repainting the entire surface.

Work with a full brush and work away from the light, in order that you can see whether the surface has been properly covered. Do small sections at a time, seeing that each section is joined with the previous one before beginning another. All sections must be joined before the edges dry. In this respect, it is wise to keep all doors and windows closed while painting. The draft through open doors and windows will dry certain areas of the finish, such as the edges, before the painter can join them, and this will mar the final effect. To avoid a seam between areas, make the strips narrow. In this way, you will be able to join them before they dry.

When calcimining the walls, start in a top corner and work across and downward. After the calcimine has been applied, open the doors and windows to speed the drying. Do not apply a second coat. It is occasionally done but it is not a good practice, and the amateur painter ought not to attempt it.

Calcimine on Paint. Calcimine can be applied to a surface that has previously been covered with an oil paint. Wash the paint with water and a little washing soda to remove the dirt and eut the gloss of the paint a little. Mter doing this, apply a coat of glue size and then the calcimine. When using washing soda on the walls, be careful to keep it off painted trim or it will injure the finish.

Continue to Using Oil Paint, Smoothing Walls and Wall Fabrics



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