The Economic Advantages of a Sound Painting Scheme

SYNOPSISArguments similar to those advanced by Blom in 1934 suggest that it would be remunerative to use much more costly paints today if it was certain that their use would prolong the period between repaintings by one year. To be sure of that increase calls for objective comparative evaluation, and the need has largely been filled by independent tests such as those carried out by Hudson.Different causes of premature break-down are considered in turn; clearly, if these can be avoided, the period between repaintings can be increased and the annual maintenance cost reduced. Alkaline softening and peeling—met with under marine conditions—are characteristic of oil-paints; paints for use on ships should be based on non-saponifiable vehicles. In contrast, oil-paints provide excellent protection on land, owing to the inhibitive powers of certain products of degeneration of soaps present in such paints. Protection at gaps in coatings is obtainable by using metal-pigmented paints, but gap-protection may disappear...