Holkham Linseed Paints - Long-Lasting Cost-Effective Solvent-Free Paints

Exterior Wood	- doors, windows and garden furniture
Exterior Walls	- mix to an emulsion with water for cement render walls
Metals	- cast iron gutters and down-pipes
Interior	- woodwork - mix with water to an emulsion on interior walls

Can I paint Holkham Linseed Paints onto an existing coat of modern paint?

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.

Our house is painted in Lead paint. How does Holkham Linseed Paints differ?

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.

But I have heard lead paints had good anti-fungicidal properties?

True, but Hans Allbäcks traditional method of purifying the linseed oil of all proteins and impurities therein has given his paints similar anti-fungicidal properties. Our paint also has natural mould protection in the form of zinc oxide.

I have heard that some linseed paints have had problems with subsequent mould growth?

Not Holkham Linseed Paints. The boiled linseed oil used to manufacture our paints has been cleansed of all the proteins within it using a traditional process. This leaves nothing for any bacteria to feed on. This accounts for the remarkably light colour of Holkham Linseed Paints linseed oil. You may have noticed that artists use the most expensive linseed oils that are virtually clear in colour. Many proprietary brand linseed oils are darker brown and therefore full of impurities and proteins.

Does the type of wood affect the effectiveness of Holkham Linseed Paints?

Good quality pine, preferably air dried and not kiln dried (which unfortunately most wood is these days) is the best wood to paint on, but we are also using it on hardwoods such as oak and some of the tropical hardwoods.

I am having new wooden windows made for my house, is it worth painting them with Holkham Linseed Oil and Holkham Linseed Paint?

Yes definitely. You will not have to go to the time and expense of stripping any old paint off so will be able to apply the oil and paint straight away. In the long run this will save you both time and money

Why are Holkham Linseed Paints more cost effective?

Most exterior woodwork painted in modern oil or water-based paints needs to be repainted at intervals of anything between 3 and 6 years. Using our paints the first treatment we recommend is a coat of warm raw Holkham Linseed Oil or Maintenance Oil after seven years. The next treatment would be after a further seven years: - a single coat of the Holkham Linseed Paint. Both of these single treatments are far cheaper than the modern three coat systems.

How does linseed oil paint work?

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.

Does linseed oil paint fade over time?

Yes, over the years it becomes ‘chalky’ and softer in colour, but it is still protecting the wood. It can be reinvigorated with a simple coat of warm raw linseed oil, which brings back the vitality of original pigment. The middle panel of this door (see illustration), originally painted Brick Red, has been given one coat of warmed raw linseed oil after 15years and it has rejuvenated the colour.

How can linseed oil paint stick to surfaces that have been treated with linseed oil?

Both materials contain linseed oil so they blend together.

Can you mix a colour for me?

Initially we would recommend that you have a go at mixing a colour yourself, using the shades we supply, as it is possible to achieve an infinite array of colours. See Case Studies – “A Private House in Norfolk” where the original colour was matched by mixing three of our standard colours together.

It is occasionally possible for us to arrange colour mixing; there are however, certain criteria for this as all colour mixing is done in Sweden. We are only able to arrange this if you require more than 50 litres of paint per colour mixed and at additional cost. Please contact us for more information, allowing plenty of time, should you feel that your order would fulfil the quantity requirements on linseedpaint@holkham.co.uk or (01328) 711348.

Can I use your paints if I am having new sealed unit double-glazing installed?

Yes, please bear in mind that you will need to use Shellac Knotting Solution around the rebates of the window and on the backs of any associated beadings AFTER the initial coat(s) of Linseed Oil and, if painting is done prior to glazing, after the first 2 coats of paint. This stops the oil from coming into contact with the glazing units and their silicone seals.

Once this has been applied and is dry then the glazing can be installed using the instructions supplied by the manufacturer and the painting can be completed.

We would also recommend that Shellac be applied underneath Linseed Oil Putty to help prevent the Putty from drying too quickly and cracking.

I am having new windows / doors / sills installed in my house and the wood has already been ‘protected’ with tanalith or protim. Do I still need to use linseed oil?

These are anti-fungicidal chemicals, which protect the wood from insect and fungus attack however in our experience Linseed oil is the most effective, natural and healthy protection against rot. Tanalith has arsenic in it and it is likely that it will be banned in a few years on Health and Safety grounds. So yes, a coat of Holkham Linseed Oil will definitely still benefit the wood.

Why should you apply raw linseed oil to wood prior to painting?

If you are treating Victorian or older windows you should realise that they have been ‘dead’ since the house was built or the tree cut down. The wood has effectively been ‘drying out’ for over 100 years. Therefore it is not surprising the good that linseed oil does to the wood. Essentially it’s the same principle as applying moisturising cream to your skin.

Can I use raw linseed oil by itself on exterior wood?

Yes, the best way to apply it is with heat: this changes its texture from being oily, to being watery thereby increasing its penetration into wood. We use it for fences, gates and wooden barns now, in preference to creosote, which is toxic and an unhealthy by product of the petro-chemical industry.

Can I use a proprietary brand of knotting solution?

Nothing is as effective as Holkham Linseed Paints Shellac Liquid e.g. see photo (taken in May 2002) of exterior green wooden gate painted with a modern proprietary paint and proprietary knotting solution in summer of 1998. Note the knots ‘popping’ as resin escapes. Holkham Linseed Paints Shellac Liquid will stop this.

What is Shellac made of?

It is made from Ethanol (the only solvent we sell) and Shellac flakes. Shellac is made from the resin produced by the Lac beetle. The Ethanol dissolves the Shellac into a useable liquid.

What should I use to clean my paintbrushes?

Hans Allbäck developed the soap specifically to clean brushes of linseed oil paint in a much more healthy way than using the more commonly used white spirit which is a dangerous solvent that can enter the body directly through the skin, and into the blood stream. Take some linseed soap in your hand and work it into the bristles, you will see the pigment lifting from the brush. Rinse under warm water and repeat until clean.

What other uses do you have for Holkham Linseed Soap?

It can be used as a household soap for hand washing, for cleaning wooden surfaces like worktops, floors and outside tables. For cleaning your car and one of our team even uses it to clean her oven!

How often would I use Linseed Wax?

At home we use Linseed Wax on our furniture once a quarter. The furniture looks better than when we used pure Beeswax (because the linseed oil in the wax sinks into the wood while the Beeswax remains on the surface. We wax our floorboards every six months.

On exterior hardwoods, we wax them every two to four years, depending on aspect.

What is Luslack?

Luslack is a traditional Scandinavian filler that comes in two parts, chalk dust and a liquid. These are mixed together to form either a stiff paste, or, almost a paint, depending on desired consistency, which is then used to fill small cracks in old wood during repairs. After application it is left to dry, then rubbed down to leave a surface as smooth as a baby’s bottom. This is then painted over to create a very smooth and professional finish.

Click colour spots for information

White

Old White
Barley White

Buttermilk

Parchment

Sea Mist

Lichen

Wild Sage
Spruce Green
Holkham Green
Custard

Antique Gold

Ice Blue
Linseed Blue
Midnight Blue

Iron Primer
Brick Red

Chocolate

Houghton Brown
Black