I have done very little work with oil-based paints, having focused most of the 
last 27 years' work on masonry and concrete substrates. What work we have done 
has shown them to be inherently UV-unstable, typically chalking as they 
weather when properly applied, and peeling when applied to inadequately 
prepared surfaces (Required: Sanding to a depth below the level of UV 
penetration and degradation of the wood fibers). They apparently can be quite 
useful as wood primers, but that still doesn't get you off the hook for having 
major fights with your painting contractor over how much sanding is enough.

If I were itching for a fight this morning I would compare wood to vinyl 
siding, as both are UV-unstable substrates, and would ask where in an oil-
based painted wood envelope was there anything that was going to endure 
without all kinds of frequent maintenance? But I'm not, so I won't say that.

Mike E.


> Mike,
> 
> What are your thoughts on linseed oil/alkyd paints.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Leland
> 
>  
> 
> Leland R. S. Torrence

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