Steve (SKB),
The Plaster of Paris is only required as filling agent to close the pores.From a stock enhancement point of view it would not hurt to leave it out.The recipe I posted is an original from the London guntrade.Dig's recipe is also from the Trade utilising modern ingredients.Depending on who you believe and what tests you do yourself it is said Linseed oil never really dries completely if left to it's own devices.That is why we add driers / solvents to aid the drying process.Which drier you use is a matter of personal choice.Not many people use Napthalene but I have and it worked very well, most common drier is turpentine because it is readily available.In the '50's we used Lead as drier, but due to them damn yankees and Ducks Unlimited Lead is bad (only joking chaps) but of course due to the perceived toxicity of lead products it is regarded as hazardous.But the original recipes did use lots of lead family derivatives such as cobalt as driers.I think we have printed most of the recipes on this thread.All I can say is that they are the best without doubt if you want a superb in the wood lustre.
