Painters use various kinds of putty, using varnish japan, oil, keg lead, dry lead, red lead, whiting, zinc white, umber, yellow ocher, etc, in the composition of the various kinds. In mixing up putty the painter should always be governed by the time he may have in which to complete his work. If the work he is doing must be completed in an unreasonably short time, the putty should be mixed with very little or no oil, although a putty mixed with japan alone will dry quicker, so as to bear sandpapering in the shortest possible time, but it is a mealy, poor kind of putty, and is apt to shrink, allowing dampness to penetrate it when rubbed with pumice-stone and water.

The best and toughest kind of putty is made of keg and dry white lead, with only a small portion of japan. In making this kind of putty, use about 4 pounds of keg lead to about a gill of japan, mixing them thoroughly together; then add dry white lead in small quantities, pounding it lightly at first, and when you have added sufficient dry lead to form a mass like dough, use the mallet or hammer very freely. If dry zinc white is used instead of dry lead, the putty will be much better. This putty should be allowed three or four days to dry. Another kind of this necessary compound is made by using keg lead and red lead. The latter is of itself a powerful dryer, consequently it does not require so much japan to dry the putty. It works very easy and adheres to the wood very tenaciously, and is not apt to swell or shrink.