Cycle Repairing and Adjusting
With a Chapter on building a Bicycle from a Set of Parts

ENAMELLING A CYCLE AT HOME 81 there is no abrupt termination to them ; then the patched place will not be visible. Preparing the Work.—To make a good job, the machine must be taken to pieces, and all the old enamel cleaned off, as explained in the preceding chapter, in preparing the parts for sending away to the enameller’s. A very important item is the workshop or room in which the job is to be done. The preparation of the work can be done anywhere that is convenient ; but the painting or enamelling requires a suitable room. Dust, cold, or draughts are fatal to good work, so a room must be selected free from these drawbacks. Not only must the room be clean and free from dust, but the workman’s clothes should be free from dust. The tools must be clean also. These precautions more especially apply to the final varnishing, and for this warmth is particularly desirable. The domestic kitchen with a fire, and the door shut, is a desirable place. A suitable brush or brushes are necessary. A common penny paint or gum brush is not suitable; but get a 1-in. or l|-in. flat camel-hair or similar brush. If this is carefully cleaned after using for the first coating, it can be used for varnish ; but get it perfectly clean, first in turpentine, and then wash well in warm soap and water, and dry before using again. It may be inconvenient to get a small quantity of suit- able materials from the colour and varnish people, and as so little will be required, probably the best way will be to go to a carriage builder’s and get the colours and varnish from them ready mixed for use. G