Handyman Guide > Wood Shingles

Wood shingles used on roofs and as siding can be painted or stained to prevent rotting. Shingle staifis may be purchased ready for use in various colors. A somewhat less expensive method is to finish shingles with creosote, which can be colored or applied as it is bought.



The best time to stain shingles is before they are nailed on. This is done by dipping them into a bucket of stain and putting them aside until dry. If this is not done during the construction of the house, you can stain the shingles by applying the stain with a brush or, hetter, a spray; gun. This is not as effective as the first method because only the top of the shingle is covered. It does, however, offer some protection to the most exposed portion of the shingle.

If the stain is applied with a brush, use a large, old brush, as the uneven surface will damage a new one. Mter a rain, allow plenty of time for the shingles to dry before staining.

When singles are to be painted, thin the first coat with linseed oil so that it can be brushed into the wood pores. Once shingles have been painted they cannot be stained unless all the paint is removed -- and this would be a large undertaking. Stained shingles, in turn, should not be painted for several months, as the stain is likely to bleed through the paint.

STOVES AND STOVE PIPES

Stoves, stove pipes, and other metal objects about the house that are subject to excessive heat can be refinished with a special, heat-resistant enamel. These enamels are designed to withstand rather high temperatures, but they will not last long on surfaces which become red hot.

Before the finish is applied, the surface must be free of rust and dirt. Use sandpaper or emery cloth to remove the rust, and wipe the surface with benzine to get rid of all grease. Do not apply the finish if the surface is hot.

WHITEWASH

Whitewash is the cheapest kind of finish available, but it has many valuable characteristics which make it ideal for use on unfinished basement walls where some covering is desirable but where the use of an expensive paint would be a waste of money.

Whitewash should be applied only to a clean surface. Brush off all dirt and loose bits of concrete with a stiff wire brush. Old whitewash can be removed with warm water and a stiff fiber brush.

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Painting
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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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