Anna wrote:
On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 09:25:15 GMT, Stuart Noble
wrote:

Progress is about using the beneficial properties of a material
like linseed and improving the downsides, like its lack of strength,
tendency to yellow, and slow drying.

Bull****

Strength is not an advantage with paint.

Depends where you're using it. Skirtings etc need to be resistant to
abrasion.

Tendency to peel (like modern
oil paint) is a distinct disadvantage which happens when the paint
bonds better to itself than to its substrate.

A bad substrate will always produce a bad finish. You can't blame the paint.

Show me the modern white
paint that doesnt yellow

Any acrylic, although they have other disadvantages.

Slow drying I will grant you and indeed it is the big problem with
linseed oil paint

Which restricts its use outdoors. One of the reasons alkyds were
developed in the first place.

Modern paints

Your blanket term "modern paints" means nothing.


have been modified to make them more idiot proof (drip
less easily

Yes, the public likes "one coat" gunk but that is produced with
extenders and is nothing to do with the basic paint. You can still buy a
litre of "liquid gloss", and it is the cheapest (and best) paint on the
shelves.

, will more or less stick to any substrate etc) and to
provide patents for the manufacturers who will then be able to justify
the investment in advertising. Modern paint is more expensive than
linseed oil paint. Odd that isnt it?

It would be odd if it were true. A litre of white alkyd is under a fiver
in any shed. The Green Shop is offering a linseed version for £30
http://www.greenshop.co.uk/acatalog/...ml&CatalogBody



And now you have got my back up I will point out that I am not a
conservationist. Conservationists look after bits of land for the RSPB
and the like. Conservator is the word you are looking for

Crusader might be better