Paint, the "traditional finish" (was Re: [TheForge] finish help)

[Dave Brown]

At 06:58 01/09/02, you wrote:
>Depends on what you mean by "traditional finish". Most of the architectural
>iron work I have seen (such as gates) that has lasted any length of time out
>doors has been painted, and rather thickly too.

When you stop and think about it, just what is the linseed oil based 
'traditional finish' if not paint?  There was a time before water based 
paints when most paints were oil based.  And what oil was that you 
ask?  Linseed oil.  Yup, the basis for the blacksmith's "traditional finish".

I'm not positive, but it seems the addition of beeswax is done to keep the 
dried finish slightly flexible.  The dried linseed oil can be brittle and I 
think the wax reduces the brittleness to help it hold up a little better 
and not chip so easy.  If this isn't the case, then why add the 
beeswax?  Just for luster?  Any other thoughts on this out there?

Dave Brown
Blacksmith/Tinsmith
Green Bay, WI
ABANA, UMBA, GoM, MODA, ARG