A Can of Paint

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 17, 1915

WHILE there are not many housewives who have personally wielded the paint brush for freshening the interiors of their homes, those who have done so, even to a limited extent, will agree that the possibilities which lie in a can of paint, a good brush, and a can of turpentine are as great as they are varied.

My first attempt at painting was two years ago. Wishing to give the woodwork in our dining room a new coat of paint, I wrote to several manufacturers, and found that the little booklets they send out gave me full information about qualities and prices, and also directions as to the best mode of application.

The old paint on the window sills was badly cracked and broken, so I procured some very heavy sandpaper, as advised in one of the little booklets, and rubbed down these particular spots till I had an almost smooth surface. If I had done the work exactly according to directions, I should have carefully sandpapered the whole, or used a varnish remover, but I wanted to simplify the matter. After using the sandpaper, I wiped the surface with a dry cloth to remove all loose particles, and put on a single undercoating, allowing it to dry well; then I added a finishing coat of white eggshell enamel—that is, enamel with a semigloss finish like an eggshell—requiring no rubbing.

The room had a baseboard, doors, window frames, and a simple mantel. I did not find the work difficult, and the result has been satisfactory.

In cleaning, I use a slightly dampened cloth, preferably of flannel. After wiping the surface with this, I rub it dry with cheesecloth. When the paint is badly soiled, I have found it a good plan to put one teaspoonful of kerosene and one teaspoonful of Spanish whiting in two quarts of water. This solution thoroughly cleans the white woodwork; it must then be finished off with a dry rub. It is not advisable to use kerosene on polished or highly glossed enamel, as frequent applications destroy the surface.—McCall’s Magazine.