Why does the surface of linseed oil paints go matte?
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. This is a positive and clear signal to start planning maintenance. Clean and apply a fresh coat of linseed oil or linseed oil wax and the shiny color will return without any other effort. Achieve a quicker penetration of the surface by heating the oil to approximately 80 degrees before the application. Return to FAQ.
