When modern paint manufacturers try to handle an organic, living material like linseed oil according to the same production principles used in producing cheap, chemical-based paints, the results are disappointing. Over the last 50 years, the handful of paint companies that have become dominant in the industry, instead, prefer to push Alkyd and Acrylic, water-based (plastic) paints on consumers.

The Allback linseed oil paint is very easy to apply. No specific priming is required, although a first coat of the cleaned, boiled, linseed oil is recommended when the wood surface is very dry. This will make the linseed oil paint dry evenly. We have a "one can" paint system: you choose the shade and paint with the same paint outdoors and indoors for all coats without any addition of any solvents. This system means there are no leftover remains of special primer or top coats.

Linseed oil paint is a collective name for many different products using linseed oil as a binding agent. Since the definition of linseed oil and linseed oil paint is loose, it includes many different kinds of products, creating much confusion for the consumer. Ironically, with all of our modern technology, it is in the knowledge of traditional methods that we find our best quality products.

Yes, it will still perform, but will be subject to the fallibility of the existing paint and will therefore not last as long as if the original paint had been scraped off back to the bare wood. You may also find that it takes longer to dry as the linseed oil will not soak through the modern paint into the wood.

Not many. Some people may think that the colors are muted; however, this is an advantage... It is not desirable to choose bright sharp colors due to the fact that bright colors do not maintain their color for a very long time. The linseed oil paint consists of traditional colors that are proven to last for 50, maybe 100 years when properly maintained.

The linseed oil in the paint gradually oxidises with the air. After six to eight years it fades, hence why we encourage the application of a layer of warm raw Holkham linseed oil during this period. After a further five to seven years (if no oil was applied) it “becomes chalky” requiring another coat of the original colour of linseed oil paint. Yes, over the years it becomes ‘chalky’ and softer in colour, but it is still protecting the wood.

The main constituents of Holkham Linseed Paints, apart from linseed oil, are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These two constituents are infinitely safer to use than lead. Lead paint’s use is restricted in this country to only Grade I and II* buildings, which only make up 7% of the listed buildings in the country. Even then you need to apply for a special licence from English Heritage to use it.

If the paint has too little linseed oil (binding agent) in relation to pigment, it will look matte from the start. If you, in addition, thin it with large amounts of solvents, it becomes even more matte and causes the paint to chalk quickly, shortening the paint's lifespan. Linseed oil paint's drying process (oxidation with the oxygen in the air) goes on constantly and makes even gloss paint matte in the end, but this takes many years.

Yes, it will still perform, but will be subject to the fallibility of the existing paint. It will therefore, not last as long if the original paint has not been scraped off back to the bare wood. You may also find that it takes longer to dry, as the linseed oil will not soak through the modern paint into the wood as well. Generally, the Allback linseed paint will adhere to any surface that is dry and clean.

Yes, good linseed oil paint adheres to all surfaces that are clean and dry. Example: wood, iron, gutters, glass, and alkyd and acrylic based paints in good condition. Linseed oil paint is also excellent for undercoating your car to prevent rust.

Oil-based and acrylic paints cannot be mixed. Acrylic paints are water-based. There is a new type of paint out now, called alkyd paint. Although it is water-based, alkyd paint can be used with oil paints. You can never paint in acrylic over a painting previously done in oil paint. You can, however, paint with oil paint over an acrylic painting.

Linseed oil paints have been used for several hundred years and have an accumulated history that is greater than all other families of paints put together. In the 1800's in Europe, linseed oil paint fulfilled all requirements of technical properties, drying time, storage properties, ease of maintenance, appearance, economy, etc.

The Allback linseed oil paint is a 100 % chemical and lead free paint. Very old linseed oil paint often contains lead in the form of white lead oxide (white lead). When removing lead-based paint, extensive paint removal with sanders and grinders, etc. is hazardous to your health and the environment. Use infrared heat technology - The Silent Paint Remover - for safe and effective lead paint removal.

The technology used to manufacture linseed oil paint has greatly improved since the old days - making it much more durable. A good linseed oil paint can easily cope with today's environment. It can also become self-cleaning through controlled chalking. The slower drying time is the reason why linseed oil paint is superior to any acrylic paint product available today.

You may be shocked to learn that all these chemicals are unnecessary if you simply clean the linseed oil before producing the paint. Good quality linseed oil comes from a northern climate and contains 30% protein or more, depending on where the flax seed has been harvested. The protein causes impurities which lead to mildew and mold.. Conventional paint manufacturers use large amounts of pesticides and herbicides to offset mildew issues.

Yes, if the linseed oil paint is made for that purpose without any need of solvents. The Allback linseed oil paint is not sensitive to direct sunlight during application.

Linseed oil paint will actually never fade. Earth pigments are used in linseed oil paint. The linseed paint will dry out over time and may look faded. This is because wood will absorb the oil into the grain leaving the pigment to dry out. This is very easily and inexpensively corrected by applying the cleaned boiled linseed oil or the linseed oil wax every 5-10 years.

Absolutely. POR-15 will accept all paints, including lacquer-based paints. POR-15 Tie-Coat Primer is the best prime coat to use before topcoating POR-15. Be sure to read thoroughly our directions and tip sheets regarding topcoating before using POR-15.

No, our linseed oil paint binds very well on planed wood. There are so-called linseed oil paints on the market that don't soak into the wood and, just like plastic-based paints, stick like tape on the surface. If the timber is very good, rich in resin, and newly planed/milled, it can sometimes be difficult for the linseed oil paint to penetrate into the surface with or without the use of solvents. Extra oily surfaces need extra preparation before painting, so that surplus resin is reduced.