Kalsomines and cold water paints are of interest to the painter, even though he may still prepare his own with whiting, glue and hot water.

The ready made hot water kalsomines are similar in composition, in dry form, except that vegetable albumen replaces the glue in some cases. Terra alba or some other white may, in part, replace the whiting. The cold water varieties are of the same nature, except that the glue is rendered soluble in cold water, or they may be composed in the main of gypsum, or plaster of paris, with some additional binder added.

The exterior cold water paints, in fact, practically all of these preparations which are warranted to withstand moisture, owe that property to caseine and lime. The base is whiting or some similar white with from 8 to 10 pounds of caseine, and about an equal amount of lime thoroughly mixed with each 100 pounds of base.

The lime is necessary to dissolve the caseine in water, and on drying, the compound forms a binder which is insoluble and hence, resists moisture. Other alkaline salts can be used in place of lime.

Caseine is a glue like substance made from milk curds, free from grease. It makes a splendid wall size, but the price is more than that of good glue. In order to mix it for use as said before, the addition of an alkaline salt, such as ammonia, sal soda, or lime is necessary to make the solution.