Document K0Ovbv5GQ6qBMbb1VB6VeBQK
DUP 000284
Du Pont Magazine
January, 1919
The Part of Paint in Winning the War
G, A. Toussaint
OT the least important of all materials that have
N played an indirect part in bringing the titanic struggle "over there'' to a final and successful
motor-trucks serves to make such objects less conspicu ous to enemy observation.
Aerial photography is likewise hampered. Camou
conclusion is paint.
flaged objects are not distinguishable at high altitudes.
Strange, but true, the average American never thinks
Burlap or canvas camouflaged and spread on the
of paint as a war necessity, or as having any direct
ground cannot be distinguished from the landscape at
relation to, or bearing on, war activities. Neverthe
an altitude of 1,000 feet, consequently it is necessary for
less, our essential
enemy observers
industries are be
or photographers
ing driven at top
to fly at low alti
speed in turning
tudes in order suc
out material and
cessfully to con
equipment neces
duct their opera
sary to the main
tions, which brings
tenance of war and
them within easy
consuming vast
range of anti-air
amounts of wood
craft guns.
and metal, which
Uncle Sam's
have to be painted.
consumption of
No other class of
paint at the navy
>j material has a greater diversity
i\ of uses, or enters
. i? into more phases
i of war production as an aid in mak
yards and 6hipbuilding plants is enormous. Every
inch of wood and
metal that enters into ship construc
ing the prime in
tion must be
struments of war
painted. Special
fare more efficient, durable and effective than does paint.
types of paint are available for different surfaces accord
Perhaps the most vivid example is the use of paint
ing to their nature and the conditions they encounter in
for camouflage. This particular field covers troop
actual use. Hulls must be painted with special paints to
trains, ordnance, motor-trucks, tanks, roads and all
protect them from the salt water, and more especially is
i types of ships.
this true of metal hulls, where corrosion from the salt
In addition to being less conspicuous on the high
water would soon render them unseaworthy. The marine
seas, the lines of a camouflaged ship are so broken up
line includes paints and varnishes for hulls, decks,
that a submarine finds difficulty in locating its center,
cabins, inside woodwork, machinery and smoke-stacks
i
thus making a very uncertain target for the deadly
or funnels, all of which represent a highly specialized
i;
torp>edo. Paint in this instance is used as an aid in
branch of the paint industry.
protecting both life and maritime property.
These materials are not used merely for decorative
j The camouflaging of troop trains, ordnance and
purposes. Such surfaces must be protected and made
1 DUP 000285
January, 1919
Du Pont Magazine
S
as impervious to severe exposure as possible, permitting use for the longest period without repair or replacement.
are protector! from moisture and dampness with paint coatings. Gunstocks require special finishing material
One of the most highly sensitized instruments of
to make them resistant to mud, water, heat, cold and
modern warfare is the fix ing machine, every construc
other conditions encountered in service.
tive detail of which is based on the most unerring
Field tents and tarpaulins are all coated to make
accuracy. Paint specialties find many uses here.
them waterproof and durable.
Propeller blades, made of a certain wood, must be
So in this vast war program we find hardly a single
very smooth in order to reduce wind resistance to a
object but what requires the use of paint, either in whole
minimum. Wood filler and special varnish gives the
or part. Large paint manufacturers have been called
right surface, and one that also protects them from
upon to supply these abnormal quantities of paint
moisture and dampness.
materials for Government use and supply them in undue
All wood used in aeroplane construction has to be
haste. Certain raw materials have been hard to get,
specially finished. Ex-en the wings are coated to make
among them lead and zinc, which are prime pigments
them tougher and more durable. While the quantity of
entering into a great variety of . paint products.
material consumed in this branch of the military organi
Railroad transportation has been slow and uncertain.
zation is small compared with others, yet its use is im
Labor has been scarce. Packages have been difficult to
portant and neces
obtain due to the
sary in giving sta
necessity of pack
bility and dura
ing foodstuffs in
bility to parts
tin containers for
which are subject
shipment abroad
to severe strain
--and yet Uncle
and exposure.
Sam has had to
This is another
have the goods
large and impor
and have them
tant field. When
quickly.
the United States
All these con
entered the war,
ditions the manu
unusual speed was
facturer has had
necessary in the
to overcome, and
establishment of
in the face of an
training camps.
unprecedented de
As a result, thou
mand. Certain
sands of portable
of the important
houses were se
manufacturers
cured by the
with exceptional
Government for
facilities have sur
temporary use. All
mounted all these
of these houses were painted, both
Flottau
an Painted to Prevent Rost end Corroeien
obstacles to a re markable degree
inside and out. Since that time the additional camps
and met the emergency with the same spirit of progress
which have been laid out and erected have called for
iveness as the boys have already displayed " over there."
the use of vast quantities of paint.
Uncle Sam is not only a liberal purchaser of paints,
As cleanliness and sanitation are the watch dogs of
but an exacting one as well. All his requirements are
camp life and essential to healthy and vigorous man
based on formulae which have been developed by the
hood, paint has done its part in providing sanitary and
governmental staff of technical experts, covering
washable surfaces that stand for the highest ideals of
paints, varnishes and enamels for all types of work.
cleanliness. Hardly a limit can be placed on the number
These formulae are used as a standard in soliciting
of smaller, but equally important uses of paint, varnish,
bids, and all material must measure up to Govern
enamel, lacquer, stain, filler and shellac for war purposes.
ment specifications in order to be acceptable. Paint
Floating mines are covered with baking japan in
manufacturers whose facilities enable them to turn
order to prevent rust and corrosion: Assurance of the
out material in accordance with Government standards
performance of their duty at the right moment depends
have been instrumental in keeping pace with the needs.
in a large degree on thi3 protection.
As a result, civilian demands have been very greatly
^ arnishes and lacquers are used on shell cases to
curtailed, inasmuch as paint dealers, in many instances,
protect them from corrosion and insure a smooth-fitting
have been unable to obtain sufficient paint for their trade.
surface to gun breeches. This protection is needed, not
Although there are more important elements that
only in transportation overseas, but on the battlefields.
enter into military success, yet paint is an absolute
Ammunition wagons, gun carriages and all rolling
necessity for which there is no substitute, and must be
stock used on the field are painted. Ammunition Imes
accorded its just tribute as a war-winning commodity.
12
Du Pont Magazine
January, 1919
Refinishing the Old Car
Henry Ferris, Jr.
F the only value of an automobile were its utility,
I all cars would be "flivvers.'' There would be no object in paying $2,000 or $3,000 for an automo
bile if you merely wanted a quicker means of trans
portation.
In other words, a large part of the satisfaction of
ownership lies in the feeling that a good-looking
machine is a personal, business and social asset.
The fact that the farmers of this country alone
purchased during 1917 over $600,000 worth of auto
mobiles per day is a vivid illustratio'n of the extent to
which the automobile now enters into the life of the
nation.
Buying an au
tomobile is no
longer a simple
matter, even when
one can afford the
1919 price ad
vances, for the
Government has
utilized the steel
and the labor and
the productive ca
pacity of the au-
tomobile manu
facturing plants
for war purposes.
The necessity is,
therefore, upon us
to make the old
car last at least
another year, and,
as good Ameri
cans, weare entire
ly willing to do so.
The result has been that many busy men have acf-
cepted the shabbiness of the old car as a necessary evil
thrust upon them by circumstances and therefore
unavoidable.
,
It is not!
We maintain that keeping up appearances is even
more important today than ever. If we are to prove
ourselves really efficient we must demonstrate that we
can work and fight at the same time; that wre can
destroy and build up with the same hand (though w*t
would far rather build than destroy); and above all,
that playing our part energetically in the great struggle
in Europe did not disorganize our industrial and domes
tic life nor lower our moral standards. Some people
may think that keeping up appearances is rather a
superficial aim and that it has little to do with right
living. But the proof that it has something to do with
it lies in the fact that every retrogression, every con
sent--conscious or tacit--to sloppy appearance in
person or property is accompanied by a deterioration
in character, which is none the less real because it is invisible.
Keeping up personal appearance keeps up personal performance, and the same applies to property of what ever nature. If you do not believe it, try painting your home inside and out as it deserves to be painted; spruce up the garden; paint your barn and outbuild ings; give the gate a chance to swing by renewing the old rusty hinges, and see if you do not observe in your family and yourself a new energy and uprightness. If you have gone thus far you will never be content until you have refinished your automobile and made it shine
afresh for both businessand social uses. You may be astonished to dis cover how many of the products which are neces sary for the refin ishing of a car are made by the Du Pont Company.
You will find among them Fabrikoid, the high est grade leather substitute for re placing shabby upholstery and dingy tops, or rubber cloth for the latter purpose at a lesser price; transparent Pyra-lin sheeting for the windows; top and seat dressings; and special automobile enamels and varnishes. Some directions for renewing the enamel may start you upon restoring the old car; new top and upholstery will follow to be in keeping with the enamel; and the result will be a car once more shining and trim. In repainting or refinishing an automobile, the proper cleaning and preparation of the surface is the secret of good results. When the surface itself is in good condition and it is the desire to freshen up the appearance of the present colors proceed as follows1. Thoroughly clean off the dust, dirt and grease. Brush the surface with a stiff brush or rub with a cloth, using benzine or turpentine to cut the grease and dirt. Sandpaper lightly to provide a slight roughness which is necessary to make the enamel stick. Apply one or two coats of Vitrolac Auto Enamel of approximately the same shade that is on your car now. If an excep tionally high gloss finish is wanted, a final coat of Vitrolac Clear Finishing Varnish should be aDDlied.
DUP 000287
January, 1919
Du Pont Magazine
When the I'uiur is to be changed nr the 'iiriiii'O :s cracked ami -carred. -penal attention is required. .\Jter cleaning "tf all foreign matter, sandpaper care fully to i>reak off loose particles and smooth up the rough places where the old finish is cracked.
Parts where the old paint has chipped off should be primed wit h regular lead and oil primer compose. I uf white iead and oil. thinned with turpentine and a little Japan drier. This should be left to dry at least twelve hours.
The cracks and dents should be tilled with Harri sons Filler and fiuriacer as it comes from the can 'knifed" on smooth. Allow this to dry at least eight hours and sandpaper off level. Thin some Filler anti Surfaeer with turpentine to a brushing consistency. Apply one or more coats anywhere that may be neces sary to fill small cracks and dents. Brush each coat across the preceding coat eight hours apart and sand paper each coat with fine sandpaper.
Now apply one or two coats of Yitrolac Auto Ground Goat, using the color indicated on the Yitrolac Enamel color card. This provides the necessary undercoating for the final coat of enamel, two coats of which should be applied, thirty-six hours apart. A coat of the Yitro-
iuc 1 dear Fini-ning Y.trnish will niu r;.pirafiutv and high gio-< .if the nanid.
Ju.-l a tVw words nf caution.
Kcp nil cans of paint --urt-ttillv covered and oiit.-idc the garage, particularly if there i- a tire in the building.
Try t o -eieet a rime for the rrrinishmg of your -nr when the air is fairiv warm and calm; otherwise. ;iarticulariy if die job is done outside rhe garage .i::-r will be blown "n to the wet enamri. -muling he . ffi'i-r.
Ram will also mar a finish which -;ll wet: thenforc. each day after successive coat- have b.-en npnlied the car -iioiild be run into the garage ami tl.e garage kept at a temperature of TO' ail night.
I sc a good brush: do not wa.-te your labor and the cost of the enamel by trying to economize on brushes.
Con.-ult your dealer, who will gladly tell you some of the finer points of refinishing which are beyond the scope of this article.
Look over your car today and ascertain what it lacks in appearance as relates to its painted surface. Obey the voice of reason which prompts you to give it the best possible finish and thereby maintain it as a valuable property asset.
Puttinc Ob th FtnUhia* Trarhet with VitrvUc Auto Finisfc
_.
DUP 000288
HC
ggIIfillWillII DU PONT AMERICAN 1NDUSTRIESTMTMh 3e e d h ]
For the convenience of buyers considering the purchase of any Du Pont product, and desiring specific information, this coupon is printed. Upon receipt, it will be forwarded immediately to the proper office for attention.
Fill in, Cut Out and Mail This Coupon
(Du Pont Mciinet January, 19)
Sales Promotion Division
E. 1. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Wilmington, Delaware
Date..
p
EXPLOSIVES
Blasting Powder Blasting Supplies Charcoal Clay Mining Farm Eipkmve* Industrial Dynamites Land Clearing Permissible Explosives Refined Nitrate of Soda Road Building Saltpetre Tree Planting O Wood Pulp
SPORTING POWDERS
0 Red Lead Sanitary Wall Finish Shellac Shingle Stain O Smokestack Paint Town and Country Paint Varnishes Vitrolac Stain Finish Vitrolac Varnish Wagon and Carriage Paint Wheeler's Wood Filler Wire Screen Paint
CHEMICALS
Acids Alums
O Pyroxylin Solutions Rubber Makers White O Salt Cake Shingle Oil Solvents Split Leather Solutions Waterproof Cement White Lead Wood Lacquer Wood Oil
PY-RA-LIN
Brushes Challenge Cteanable Collars Colored Sheeting Combs
Black Sporting Powder
Barium Chloride
Desk Sets
Hand Trap Hunting
Belt Cement O Benzol Products
Manicure Sets O Mirrors
Pistol Smokeless Powder Resort Shooting
Blanc Fixe Bronze Powder
Novelty Sheeting Py-ra-lin Pipe Bits
Rifle Smokeless Powder Shooting in Colleges
Bronzing Liquids
Py-ra-lin Rods and Tubes
0 Carpolene (Wood Preservative) Py-ra-lin Specialties
Shooting on Boats
Carpo (Metal Paint)
O Py-ra-lin Toilet Goods
Smokeless Powder Trapshooting
Coke Creosote
Toilet Sets Transparent Sheeting 'V
PAINTS
Dead Oil Distilled Water
COATED TEXTILES
Antoxide Iron Paint
Dry Colors
Auto Thick Special Fabrikoid
Auto Finish
Ether
Book-Finish Fabrikoid
Auto Paints and Enamels
Heavy Chemicals
Craftsman Fabrikoid
Bara Paint
Household Cement
Fabrikoid for Baggage
Bridgeport Standard Paint
Leather Renovators
Fabrikoid for Home Uses
O Bridgeport Wood Finishes
Leather Substitute Solutions
O Fabrikoid for Railway Uphol
d Colors in Oil
Litharge
stery and Vestibule Curtains
Concrete Paint
Lithopone
Fabrikoid for Upholstering
D Decorative Stains
O Mantle Dips
Fabrikoid Sheeting
Dulicc for Mills
Meta! Lacquer
Fairfield HospitafSheeting
y
Enamels Ferro-Keep (Metal Paint)
Nitre Cake Parlodion
Fairfield Rubber Cloth Fairfield Rubber Top Materials
O Floor Paints
Patent Leather Solutions
Hat Sweat Material
Floor Varnishes
Pegamoid Aluminum Paint
Marine Special Fabrikoid
Flow Kote Enamel
Pitch
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Industrial Paints
Q Pontar
Rayntite Fabrikoid Auto Top
Japans
Pontoklene
Material
Marine Paints
Pulp Colors
Rug Anchor
Railway Paints
Py-ra-lin Enamel
a Shoe Fabrikoid
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DUP 000289
i