Fig. 108 shows a general view, and a large central draught steel plate fan is employed to exhaust the hoods, and to drive this and the compressor a gas engine is employed. The compressor is of the type illustrated in Fig. 71, page 115, and can just be discerned behind the gas engine.
Fig. 109 shows a gas meter in position, with the necessary masks fixed, and Fig. 110 shows the operator about to spray-paint same. This plant has been in daily operation for more than two years.
The installation of a spraying plant at the works of this firm, which are at 238, Kingsland Road, have been in operation for rather less than a year, but has proved quite satisfactory. Various types of gas meters are sprayed with one coat of Torbay paint, which is an iron oxide paint of high quality, and the one coat possesses amply sufficient quality to give a good covering. Prior to painting the surface of the tinned plate which is used for gas meters, it is cleaned down with a piece of waste dipped in spirit. Masks are used to fit over name plates, etc., and the spraying is done in the usual cabinet, with an exhaust. A three or four-light meter takes about two minutes to do, and the larger sizes, of course, longer in proportion. All sizes up to and including 500-light meters are sprayed, but those larger, up to 1,000 lights, are a little too big to handle. The greater part of the meters are done in deep red oxide iron colour, but three other colours are used in addition, as may be required. The meter to be sprayed is placed on a turn-table which bears on a sharp steel point and has on its upper portion spikes or ridges, to hold the meter in position. The Aerograph spray is employed in this case.
[Illustration: Fig. 104.--GENERAL VIEW OF AIROSTYLE PLANTS AT MESSRS. LUCAS' LTD.]
[Illustration: Fig. 105.--J. LUCAS, LTD., AIROSTYLE PLANTS, SHOWING THE AMPLE SPACE BETWEEN HOODS.]
[Illustration: Fig. 106.--J. LUCAS, LTD., AIROSTYLE PLANTS, SHOWING THE METHOD OF EMPLOYING RACKS TO GREATER ADVANTAGE, AND ALSO GIVING A CLEARER IDEA OF THE LARGE FAN EMPLOYED.]
PAINTS, LACQUERS, VARNISHES, ETC. USED IN SPRAYING.
Under the head of "Paints used for Dipping" some information has been given in respect to the paints suitable for that purpose. Some, but not all, paints are suitable for both dipping and spraying, the exceptions being the heavier or more viscous compounds, which are not suitable for painting by immersion because they are too thick. Tar, enamel, and the heavier varnishes may be given as examples, although they may be successfully applied by the spraying process.