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Writer's pictureNatalie Yon-Eriksson

Ottosson Linseed Oil Paint: Application and Maintenance Suggestions for Wood Substrates.

How to get the best, longest-lasting results in a wide variety of projects.




Painting with Standard Exterior/Interior Linseed Oil Paint


New timber, sawn or planed wooden surfaces. Semi-gloss finish.


1. Ensure wood is clean and dry.


2. Mix the “primer paint” as follows: 30% paint to 70% purified linseed oil (Exterior

use Raw and Interior use Boiled). Let soak into dry, porous wood surface and let

dry.


3. Apply undiluted paint (mix well) in even coats with stiff bristle brush. Two coats

are recommended as there is exponential protection in each additional coat. Let

dry between each coat. Dry time depends on ambient temperature and climate.


4. Apply in 60°F or warmer environment. Cold weather increases dry time.


5. Ensure there is air circulation/good ventilation for best dry time.



Painting with Standard Exterior/Interior Linseed Oil Paint


Older timber. Previously painted wood with Linseed oil paint or other paints/stains.

If an acrylic or petrochemical coating is failing and Linseed Oil Paint is used on top, it

will work well but the old failing paint will likely continue to fail overtime, taking the

Linseed Oil Paint with it. This is considered more of a stop-gap or short-term solution.


1. Remove as much of former coatings as possible. Remove loose paint chips and

dust. Clean if necessary. An effective trick is to scrub surface with Linseed Oil

Soap or a non-petrochemical cleaner and a stainless-steel scrub pad.


Do not power wash – introduces too much moisture into the porous wood

surface.


2. Rinse and let dry.


3. Apply Linseed Oil Paint as directed above. The “primer” coat may be

unnecessary on some surfaces.



Maintenance


Depending on its exposure to sunlight, Linseed Oil Paint will begin to fade or turn matte

overtime. The natural pigments can always be revived with maintenance as they do not

breakdown with UV exposure like acrylic/latex based paint. This fading is likely to show

first on south facing surfaces. The matting process of the paint is natural and no direct

action is required. When the paint is totally matte and is not maintained it becomes

“chalky.” Linseed Oil Paint does not flake off or peel like an acrylic/latex paint.


1. Clean surface with Linseed Oil Soap or a non-petrochemical cleaner to remove

dirt, air-pollution build-up, etc. if needed. Rinse and let dry.


2. Apply a coat of Purified Linseed Oil to the surface to return the original luster of

the paintwork. Let dry.


3. It is an option to apply a thin maintenance coat of undiluted paint as well if so

desired.


4. Maintenance is based on type and dryness of wood and location of structure. A

matte finish does not require immediate maintenance as it maintains a durable

surface for many, many years.


Please contact info@earthandflax.com with questions.

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