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Also known as "swedish paint", "wheat paint", "ochre paint", flour paint is an ecological and resilient paint for vertical wood surfaces, made from simple ingredients which can be easily prepared at home. Flour paint is economical, offering an excellent quality/price ratio, and 100% natural.
An age-old recipe
Flour Paint, made from water, soap, linseed oil, pigments, iron sulfate (a common food additive), and flour (you might’ve guessed!), provides beautiful results, requires little maintenance and will last between 8 and 10 years, all for a fraction of the price of commercially available paint.
Flour Paint is naturally coloured with earth pigments, such as ochre. For a wider range of shades beyond the typical yellows, browns, and reds of earth pigments, other types of pigments, like iron oxides can also be used, as shown below.
Generally forgotten after the early 1960s as modern synthetic paints became widespread, Flour Paint has recently experienced a revival in Europe. This renewed interest is easy to understand, given its historical significance, simple preparation, affordability, non-toxicity, and durability.
Why use Flour Paint?
In North America, people are increasingly discovering this affordable, homemade paint, which gives a rustic, matte finish to exterior wooden walls. Many value it for its non-toxicity, particularly those concerned about the health and environmental impacts of modern synthetic paints. Less expensive than its commercial alternatives, Flour Paint is trusted and proven, free from harmful ingredients, and emits no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Where to use it?
Flour Paint is only suitable for use on wood, be it new or old. The wood must be clean, dry, and properly prepared—brushed or sanded, dusted and stripped of any previous paint or varnish that could prevent the paint from penetrating the wood fibers. It is not suitable for drywall. Flour Paint works especially well on exterior vertical wooden surfaces, such as siding, heavy timber, doors, and window frames.
This article has been adapted from content provided by Ardec, specialists in wood finishing products.
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