binder, as tested upon any given structure, unless they know, first, the history and characteristics of the material used ; second, the kind and condition of the surface to which it was applied ; and, third, the method of application. Many pigments, such as some kinds of red lead, iron oxide, carbon, and white lead, may give good results, if fairly treated; but, if improperly compound-ed and applied, prove failures. Engineers, architects, and builders should demand paints that do not require great skill, and which do not involve great fatigue in their proper application.

A perfect paint for structural steel would be one in which the pigment (inorganic) and binder (organic) formed a close union (marriage), so that there could be no separation of them-no precipitation of the pigment.  In  other words,  it  would form and