This section is from the book "The English And American Mechanic", by B. Frank Van Cleve. Also available from Amazon: The English And American Mechanic.
Linseed oil, 2 gallons: red lead and umber, each, 4 oz.; sulphate of zin , 2 oz.; sugar of lead, 2 oz. Boil until it will scorch a leather, when it is ready for use.
To 1 gallon linseed oil add 2 lbs. gum shellac; litharge, ½ lb.; red lead, ¼ lb.; umber, l oz. Boil slowly as usual until the gums are dissolved; grind your paints in this (any color,) and reduce with turpentine. Yellow ochre is used in floor painting.
Nut or linseed oil, 1 gal.; litharge, 12 oz; sugar of lead and white vitriol, of each 1 oz.; simmer and skim until a pellicle forms; cool, and, when settled, decant the clear. 2. Oil, 1 gal.; litharge, 12 to 16 oz.; as last. 3. Old nut or linseed oil, 1 pint; litharge, 3 oz. Mix; agitate occasionally for 10 days; then decant the clear. 4. Nut oil and water, of each 2 lbs.; white vitriol, 2 oz.; boil to dryness. 5. Mix oil with powdered snow or ice, and keep it for 2 months without thawing.
Take 8 lbs. of pure un-slacked lime, add 12 qts. water, stir it and let it settle, turn it off gently and bottle it, keep it corked till used. This will mix with oil, and in proportion of half will render paint more durable.
 
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