Difference between revisions of "Japan (Paint Additive)"
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Japan was a drying agent commonly used in the latter end of the 19th century. | Japan was a drying agent commonly used in the latter end of the 19th century. It is not to be confused with japanning or japan black, which was a bitumen-based lacquer baked to the surface for protecting sheet metal (The Calumet & Hecla Copper Company did experiment with heat-treated japanned freight car underframes in the 1890s; see "Dipping in Japan and Baking," Railroad Car Journal Vol.VI No.9 September 1896 p221). | ||
Japan could be purchased as a separate commodity or pre-mixed with paints of almost any color. | |||
A common shortcoming of japan was that it resulted in a short-lived, brittle finish. | A common shortcoming of japan was that it resulted in a short-lived, brittle finish. | ||
Latest revision as of 18:55, 30 September 2023
Japan was a drying agent commonly used in the latter end of the 19th century. It is not to be confused with japanning or japan black, which was a bitumen-based lacquer baked to the surface for protecting sheet metal (The Calumet & Hecla Copper Company did experiment with heat-treated japanned freight car underframes in the 1890s; see "Dipping in Japan and Baking," Railroad Car Journal Vol.VI No.9 September 1896 p221).
Japan could be purchased as a separate commodity or pre-mixed with paints of almost any color.
A common shortcoming of japan was that it resulted in a short-lived, brittle finish.
"As is well known to the paint fraternity, ingredients that go to make up a japan are short and brittle, and have been the cause of great annoyance, especially among the cheaper grades. They are not at all calculated to promote harmony among the different coats applied in painting of either wood or iron, for while oil retards, drying japan promotes it and the antagonism between the liquids would naturally bring about anything but favorable results."
"Protective Paint for Metal Parts of Cars and Trucks," Railroad Car Journal Vol.VI No.11 November 1896 p279.
Its use cut the time expended on painting individual pieces of equipment by a considerable factor, which ultimately superseded any concerns about its longetivity:
Painting in the railroad shop is not what it used to be some twenty or thirty years ago, when the painter took two and three weeks or more to paint a locomotive, and if it should be done in two weeks, it would be considered a quick job. In those days, japan colors were not used as much as they are to-day, so that it took longer between coats to allow the paint to dry and most all painters used oil colors with japan or the old-fashioned patent dryers for drying purposes. They were imbued with the idea that a good job could not be done with japan color, it would crack, wouldn't wear long, and there was nothing like oil; but in this age of rush in the railroad shop, oil is 'not in it.' Our superiors expect us to be abreast of the age and to do the work in the shortest possible time, and I think it is our duty to try and meet those expectations."-Thomas Jones, Canadian Pacific Railway, Montreal.
"Mr. Jones' Paper," Railroad Car Journal Vol.VI No.10 October 1896 p247.