From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Critique of 'Kewato' floor paint applied to the floor of an experimental test rig section.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\3\ scan0342 | |
| Date | 11th September 1937 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}/W. Bell. "KEWATO" FLOOR PAINT. Criticism of Sample applied to Floor of Experimental Test Rig Section. Two small sections of the floor, one which was constantly traversed but not generally subjected to oily deposits, and one which was subjected to the latter condition, were given two coats of "Kewato", allowing a period of 24 hours between coats. To ensure that the paint had a fair trial, the surfaces thus treated were protected for four days. The period of actual usage has to date been of only eleven days duration, but since enquiries are being made for our opinion on this subject, the following criticisms are given :- (1) The colour is too light for practical purposes, and dark green would be preferable. (2) It does prevent the oil from soaking into the floor, it is petrol proof, and is easily cleaned, but when work of a necessarily oily nature is being performed, there is more danger of an operator slipping on this surface than on an ordinary cement surface, especially if any heavy articles require handling. (3) Where conditions require frequent movement of rigs and tackle - as in this department - the coating becomes scored and requires frequent repainting. (4) By continually walking on it, the coating is worn from the surface pebbles (in the cement) giving the floor a mottled appearance. Taken generally, we consider that a floor thus coated, would be an improvement both in appearance, and ease of maintenance, particularly in shops where machinery is more or less fixed. Whilst appreciating the light reflection qualities of the sample supplied, maintain that a darker colour would be more practical, and suggest that a sufficient quantity be procured to cover the whole of the Test Rig Section floor. HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}/W. Bell. | ||