Show tests with homemade paint are S suggested ug many farmers are using a homemade paint of mortar coloring and used motor oil on barns and out buildings some get good results but others do not says howard M ellis extension agricultural engineer he suggests that some experimenting be done ordinarily ellis says from three fourths to one pound of brick red mortar coloring will be required for each gallon of used oil the blacker the oil the more coloring it will require determine the proper mix as follows divide one pound of red mortar coloring into four parts mix in two parts one half pound of the coloring slowly while the oil is being stirred paint a small section on the back of the building to be painted add another fourth of the mortar coloring to the original mixture and paint a second section beside the first repeat with the last fourth allow the oil to penetrate the wood for a time inspect and then decide which mix you desire ellis says the homemade paint can be applied with an old orchard sprayer or with whitewash brushes mortar coloring is about six cents per pound at hardware stores crankcase drain ings may be obtained free from some filling stations |