Posted By Andrew W Anybody know of a substitute for linseed oil that isn't spontainiusly combustible?

Posted By Larry Good question. Sometimes the solution is not as good as it seems. As a kid I lived in Cyprus and was never off the beach. Oils slicks were forever being washed up and we discovered that fly spray was great for removing the oil/tar off the skin. Now I know what is in fly spray I would never recommend that anyone does that now.

Posted By D H Should have asked how to remove the stain Dave

Posted By Larry For red wine stains, use white wine.

Posted By Graham Bullough Some users of a skin moisturising product from a well known cosmetics company realised some years ago that it also had the effect of repelling midges. (To avoid possibly breaching an AUG I’ll refrain from directly naming the company and allude instead to the river in the gorge at Bristol ! ) Some mountaineers and fishermen, etc. swear by how effective it is. I've read that some soldiers buy it as an alternative to MOD issue chemical-based repellents. Thus, if you meet any fragrant marines on manoeuvres in midgy areas, they’re probably using the product. Use in conflict areas is allegedly banned because the aroma might give the position of wearers away to the enemy. Scottish midges seem to find me highly irresistible and various midge repellents I’ve tried over the years seem to have limited effect in keeping them at bay. As some if not all synthetic chemical based repellents damage plastics, is it good to be repeatedly putting them on one's skin? Therefore, I tend to avoid visiting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland during the height of the midge season. If I do visit, I try to keep covered up as much as possible and wear a proprietary net over my hat and head. Some friends (?) suggest that with my visage the net provides an aesthetic improvement: Perhaps I should give the product a try regarding midges and also see if it improves my visage! Apparently the company isn't allowed to mention that the product has any effect on midges because it would first have to spend considerable time, money and effort on related trials before registering the product as a drug. Do any forum users have any information as to what possible ingredient/s in the product might repel midges? Also does the product appear to repel other insects?

Posted By garyh As a chemist I can let you in on the secret - "Like dissolves like". So.......get tar on your skin and any oil type substance will remove it eg suntan lotion, mayonnaise, white spirit, etc. Simple as that. As for red wines etc - trouble is that some of it's components act like a dye and chemically stick to fibres. You can't easily remove stains like that.

Posted By Andrew Cartridge I can confirm that a P/N can instantly wipe the smile off any Construction Directors face ;-) Andy