Lead is a through drier and is always used with cobalt and /or
manganese. Lead drier improves the drying time of double boiled linseed oil and
yields very pale and clear boiled oil.
Lead in combination with cobalt and calcium are suggested, particularly for long
oil alkyds lead is the most important drier. However some of the problems
connected with lead driers such as Sulphur staining and reaction with polybasic
acids are overcome by inclusion of calcium drier. As lead is toxic in nature its
usage in toys and edible film packaging is to be avoided.
