Handyman Guide > Painting

The subject of painting is a large one, and different situations are constantly encountered by the home mechanic which are not covered in books.



When such a situation arises, the best practice is to consult an experienced - painter or paint dealer before going ahead with the job. Never apply paint to a surface until you are certain of the results. The application of paint takes only a short time, but removing it is a tedious job at best. Avoid mistakes of this sort by consultation beforehand.

Good results in painting are dependent on the selection and care of the brushes, the selecting and mixing of the paint, and the proper preparation of the surface to be painted. Unless these three factors are properly observed, the hours and money spent will probably be wasted.

PAINT BRUSHES

The importance of buying only the best grade of paint brush can not be overstressed. A poor quality brush will not only deteriorate quickly and have to be replaced, but practically precludes any good work while the brush is still in usable condition. A good brush and one that is properly cared for is like any other good tool. It will last through many jobs and always give excellent results.

An experienced painter can tell a good brush by the feel of the bristles, their length, the manner in which the bristles are set into the' brush, and by numerous other methods that are only acquired by years of experience. A good brush is made of hog bristles set in vulcanized rubber. The bristles come from hogs found in China and in other foreign countries where the bristles grow particularly long. Bristles from hogs raised in this country are not satisfactory for paint brushes.

The inexperienced painter is generally forced to rely on the integrity of his dealer when purchasing paint brushes. In most cases, the dealer will see to it that you are sold a good quality brush; but if you should get a poor quality brush after paying for a good one, take your business to another concern. In many other fields besides painting, the home mechanic will have to depend upon the honesty of his local dealer.

Find one that you can trust always to give you the best quality merchandise. Remember, however, that even the best quality brush will have a few loose bristles when new; do not assume from this that the brush is poor.

Continue to Types of Brushes



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Painting
Paint Brushes - Storing Brushes - Varnish - Water Paint and Plastic Paint - Types of Paint - Paint Thinners - Mixing Paints - Preparing the Surface - Painting Flaws - Removing Paint - Exterior Painting - Painting New Wood - Repainting - Metal - Interior Painting - Calcimine - Painting Woodwork - Old Wood Trim - Staining - Fillers - Varnishing - Bleaching - Enameling - Painting Radiators - Painting Concrete - Shingles - Stoves and Stove Pipes - Whitewash.

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Electricity
Definition of Terms - Ohm's Law - Alternating and Direct Current - Sources of Electrical Power - The Electrical System - Overloading the Circuit - Rewiring - Reading a Meter - Precautions - Fuses - Types of Cord - Splicing Wires - Replacing Plugs and Switches - Home Lighting - Electric Motors - Signaling System - Transformers - Burglar Alarms - Repairing the System - How to Install a Bell System.

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