Oxide and Metallic Paints

See D&RG Freight Car Red

Flexite Metal Preservative Paint

Flexite was a product line of the Standard Paint Company of New York. This is a branded application method, rather than a pigment, and was available in a number of colors including metallic.

1904

The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie performed a thorough experiment comparing all available paint products and methods on steel cars and reported the results to the Master Car and Locomotive Association Conference. Hopper coal cars 10695 and 10686 are painted with Flexite New Standard Steel Car Painting System, a product originally marketed for painting iron buildings. 10695 was painted red iron oxide and 10686 was painted black. At the time of the presentation the results of this paint product were undetermined.

"Mr. Quest's Paper: The Preservation of Steel Cars from Decay," The Railway Master Mechanic October 1905 pp370-370.

1911

Flexite is listed in the 1911 Sweet's Catalogue of Building Construction:

"Flexite" Metal Preservative Paints (black and colors) are for all metal surfaces exposed to the weather, dampness, salt air or corrosive gases, including structural iron and steel, bridges, siding, roofs, fences, railing, ornamental work. Made from the most carefully selected inert pigments with a vehicle containing absolutely pure refined linseed oil, in combination with one of the most refractory materials known to science, they present exceptional qualities for resisting severe conditions. They may be used with or without "Flexite Primer."

"Flexite" Primer is recommended for a Shop coat in connection with "Flexite" Paints. It consists of a transparent fibrous pigment, ground very fine in pure linseed oil. It dries to a hard transparent coat, which will permit inspection of the underlying metal. The fibrous nature of the pigment adds to the tenacity of the coating and its low specific gravity permits it to remain in perfect suspension in linseed oil.

Sweet's Architectural Catalog File, 1911 p68.

Iron Clad Paint Company

Located in Cleveland Ohio, this company manufactured an iron-based paint based on patents developed by William Green using iron ore from the Lake Superior region.

1874

An advertisement in the October issue of The National Car Builder lists the following railroads as customers:

• LS&MS Ry.
• D&M Ry.
• O&M Ry.
• Kansas Pacific Railroad
• TW&W Ry.
• I&StL RR.
• CCC&I Ry.
• LC&L RR.
• LS&TV RR.

Gentlemen: Your "Metallic Paints" known as "Iron Clad Paints" have, in the past six years, been extensively used and thoroughly tested by this Company, as to their covering capacity, durability, and resistance to atmospheric changes - latter "paint destroyer" - the most difficult to overcome in outside paints. We can emphatically accord them the highest position over any paint heretofore produced, for Cars, Roofs, Stations, Bridges, etc. The monthly increase of our orders is the best evidence that the paint is constantly growing in favor with our mechanics. Very respectfully yours, A.C. Armstrong, Gen'l Purchasing Agent L.S.&M.S.R.R.

1904

The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie performed a thorough experiment comparing all available paint products and methods on steel cars and reported the results to the Master Car and Locomotive Association Conference. Hopper coal cars 10686 and 10671 are painted two coats ready mixed "Iron-Clad" paint on 4 August 1904. After one year, car 10671 was identified and the paint reported as being "very hard and dry."

"Mr. Quest's Paper: The Preservation of Steel Cars from Decay," The Railway Master Mechanic October 1905 pp370-370.

Patton's Sun Proof Paint

A product of the Patton Paint Company of Milwaukee. Sun-Proof Paint was a pre-mixed liquid paint and was available in in a range of colors; iron oxide was only one pigment within the line.

1904

The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie performed a thorough experiment comparing all available paint products and methods on steel cars and reported the results to the Master Car and Locomotive Association Conference. Hopper coal car 13686 is painted two coats "Sun-Proof" iron oxide ready mixed paint. The railroad reported that the pigment was finely ground but the results of the experiment were not available in time for the convention.

"Mr. Quest's Paper: The Preservation of Steel Cars from Decay," The Railway Master Mechanic October 1905 pp370-370.

1918

Patton's Sun-Proof Liquid Paint is made from white lead, oxide of zinc, silica and coloring matter, ground in strictly pure linseed oil, and specially prepared drier. Sun-Proof Paint contains the maximum quantity of linseed oil consistent with good paint, and the quantity of linseed oil is in teh proper relative proportion to the pigment to produce a tough, durable, wear resisting paint film - a paint that can be spread uniformly and a paint that is suitable for all general purposes.

Sweet's Architectural Catalogue Vol. 13, 1918 p1333.

Rawlins Metallic Paint

Advertised as being "90 per cent iron."

1874

Advertisements for Rawlins Metallic Paint first appear in the National Car Builder.

Owing to its extreme fineness, every particle is utilized. No sediment settles to the bottom, and when applied, it produces a smooth, glossy surface. With less oil to the pound, this paint will go over twice the space of other so-called "Mineral" paint, and produces a more intense color. It is entirely free from dirt, slate, or any impurities, being manufactured out of the best Red Hematite Iron Ore, and pulverized finer than any paint that has heretofore been manufactured by a process peculiar to this company. This paint is not affected by water or extremes of cold and heat, and is peculiarly adapted for tin roofs. It will also stand hard usage, and for railroad cars or wagons can not be excelled. It has been used by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and by whom it is pronounced superior to any quality they have ever used. Address Rawlins' Metallic Paint Company, Rawlins, Wyoming.

1876

Advertisements for Rawlins Metallic Paint first appear in the April 15th issue of the American Railroad Journal.

The Cheapest, Best, Most Durable, Most Fire, Water and Weather Proof paint made. Used by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., and the Union Pacific R.R. Co. Address all Orders: Rawlins Metalic Paint Co., Rawlins, Wyoming Territory. C.F. Goodman, Omaha, Neb.; John Alston & Co., 179 and 181 Randolph St., Chicago, Ill.