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What Is Flour Paint? The Complete Guide to Sweden's Traditional Wood Paint
Flour Paint, also known as Swedish Paint, Wheat Paint, or Ochre Paint, is one of the oldest and most environmentally friendly wood finishes still in use today. Made from simple, natural ingredients including flour, water, linseed oil, natural pigments, black soap, and iron sulphate, it produces a beautiful matte finish while protecting exterior wood for years.
Originally developed in Scandinavia centuries ago, Flour Paint became the coating of choice for barns, cottages, fences, and timber buildings because it was inexpensive, easy to prepare, and remarkably durable. Today, it is enjoying a well-deserved revival as more homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and restoration professionals seek natural alternatives to conventional exterior paints.
Whether you're restoring a historic barn, building a garden shed, or simply looking for a beautiful natural finish for wood, Flour Paint remains one of the best traditional coatings available.
Why Choose Flour Paint?
Unlike many modern exterior paints, Flour Paint doesn't rely on synthetic resins or petroleum-based ingredients. Instead, each ingredient serves a practical purpose, creating a breathable coating that protects wood while allowing it to age naturally.
Some of its biggest advantages include:
✓ 100% natural ingredients
✓ 100% VOC-free
✓ Biodegradable and environmentally friendly
✓ Excellent value for money
✓ Easy DIY preparation
✓ Produces a beautiful matte, traditional finish
✓ Naturally protects wood for up to 10 years
✓ Easy to maintain and recoat without extensive stripping
Because it penetrates the wood rather than forming a thick plastic film, Flour Paint ages gracefully and is simple to refresh when needed.
What Is Flour Paint Made Of?
Each of Flour Paint's natural ingredients has an important role to play
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Flour | Provides adhesion and forms the base of the paint. |
| Water | Allows the ingredients to combine into a smooth paint. |
| Natural Pigments | Provide colour and improve durability. |
| Linseed Oil | Protects and nourishes the wood. |
| Iron Sulphate | Acts as a natural fungicide for exterior use. |
| Black Soap | Improves texture and workability while helping create a smooth finish. |
These simple ingredients have been used successfully for generations, proving that effective wood protection doesn't require complex synthetic chemistry.
Where Can Flour Paint Be Used?
Flour Paint is specifically designed for wood surfaces.
It performs particularly well on rough-sawn softwoods such as pine and spruce, making it ideal for:
- Exterior wood siding
- Barns
- Garden sheds
- Fences
- Timber structures
- Pergolas
- Exterior doors
- Window frames
- Wooden patio furniture
The wood should always be clean, dry, and free of previous paint, varnish, or any finish that would prevent the paint from penetrating the wood fibres.
When Should Flour Paint Not Be Used?
Although Flour Paint is extremely versatile, it isn't suitable for every project.
It is not recommended for:
- Horizontal surfaces such as decks, where standing water and abrasion cause faster wear.
- Previously painted or varnished wood unless the old finish has been completely removed.
- Woods with a high tannin content, including oak, chestnut, and some tropical hardwoods, as tannins may cause brown staining through the paint.
A Finish That Lasts
One of Flour Paint's greatest strengths is its longevity.
When properly prepared and applied, Flour Paint naturally protects exterior wood for up to 10 years. Rather than peeling like many modern paints, it gradually weathers, making future maintenance straightforward.
One coat provides good coverage, although applying a second coat the following year is recommended for improved long-term durability.
How Is Flour Paint Made?
Preparing Flour Paint is surprisingly simple.
Traditional recipes involve slowly cooking flour and water together before adding pigments, iron sulphate, linseed oil, and finally black soap to create a smooth, uniform coating.
Our Flour Paint Kit includes all the ingredients needed to prepare approximately 5 litres of paint, enough to cover around 15 m² (150 ft²) depending on the surface.
Complete mixing instructions are included with every kit.
Application Tips
For the best results:
- Apply between 7°C and 27°C (45°F–80°F).
- Use a high-quality brush or roller suitable for matte paint.
- Allow approximately 5–8 hours drying time, depending on temperature and humidity.
- If necessary, add a small amount of water to adjust the paint's viscosity before application.
- The final colour develops once the paint has fully dried.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flour Paint waterproof?
Flour Paint is designed to protect exterior wood while remaining breathable. It performs exceptionally well on vertical exterior surfaces but is not recommended for horizontal decking where standing water and abrasion accelerate wear.
Can Flour Paint be used indoors?
Yes. Flour Paint can also be used on interior wood surfaces. For interior applications, iron sulphate is generally unnecessary because its primary purpose is to help protect exterior wood against fungal growth.
Does Flour Paint contain VOCs?
No. Flour Paint is 100% VOC-free, making it an excellent choice for those looking to reduce exposure to synthetic chemicals.
How long does mixed paint keep?
Once prepared, Flour Paint should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used within 3–4 days.
Can I make different colours?
Absolutely. Traditionally, Flour Paint was coloured using natural earth pigments such as ochres, producing the classic Scandinavian reds, yellows, and browns. Today, a much wider range of shades can be achieved using both natural earth pigments and high-quality mineral pigments, allowing you to create everything from traditional heritage colours to contemporary finishes.
Why Choose TerraChrom's Flour Paint Kit?
Rather than sourcing individual ingredients, our Flour Paint Kit contains everything required to prepare authentic traditional Flour Paint at home:
- Flour
- Natural pigment
- Linseed oil
- Iron sulphate
- Black soap
The kit has been carefully formulated to produce approximately 5 litres of ready-to-use paint with complete mixing instructions included.
Whether you're restoring a historic building or simply looking for a healthier, more sustainable alternative to conventional exterior paint, Flour Paint offers a proven finish that has stood the test of time.
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Check out our flour paint kit here:
