[MassHistPres] oil paint blues

[Dennis De Witt]

I am looking for advice and suggestions.  I'm told by several Ben Moore dealers that B.M. oil based alkyd exterior house paint is no longer available -- once the inventory in stores and warehouses is used up that's the end.  One dealer said it was a Mass. ruling of about 3 years ago.  Another said it was regional.  The B.M web site still shows MoorGuard (which I think was not the top line last time I bought) so that at least still may be available elsewhere.

You can get an exterior oil based alkyd "for wood and metal" which the dealers say is the same thing as traditional exterior house paint but it's only available in hi gloss.

Is the only alternative "fine paints of Europe" at twice the (unavailable) price?  Are there smuggles who bring it in from New Hampshire under cover of darkness?

The B.M. dealers also no longer have B.M. oil based Alkyd solid siding stain.  Anyone know of a substitute.

There seems now to be a water-based alkyd.  Is that meaningfully different than water based latex?

Thanks

Dennis De Witt