Types of Linseed Oil and Their Uses

Introduction

In this article, we will look at the different types of linseed oil and their uses. The most commonly used types of linseed oil are cold-pressed linseed oil, boiled (oxidized) linseed oil, and stand oil.

Cold-Pressed Linseed Oil

Cold-pressed linseed oil is obtained using cold-pressing technology. It is primarily used for priming surfaces before painting, especially those exposed to direct atmospheric effects, such as wooden windows, garden furniture, and terrace boards, to provide extra protection against moisture. Compared to boiled linseed oil, it is much "thinner," allowing it to penetrate deeply into the wood, polymerize, and form a flexible protective layer against moisture and mold.

Before application, cold-pressed linseed oil is warmed by placing its container in a water bath and heating it to approximately +60 °C. Once the base layer of linseed oil has dried completely, the surface is ready to be painted with linseed oil paints.

Boiled Linseed Oil

Boiled linseed oil is made from cold-pressed linseed oil that is processed through heating (oxidation), filtering, and purifying to improve its drying properties and resilience against environmental factors. Our linseed oil paints are based on boiled linseed oil, with added natural mineral pigments to achieve the desired color tone.

Boiled linseed oil is also used to dilute our linseed oil paints (up to 5% of the paint volume) if a thinner paint consistency is needed. Our paints do not contain solvents, and to preserve their natural properties, they should only be diluted with boiled linseed oil.

Additionally, boiled linseed oil is used for restoring painted surfaces. Over time, surfaces painted with linseed oil paints can develop a slight "chalky" texture due to natural oxidation. In such cases, we recommend refreshing the paintwork with boiled linseed oil, which restores the original shine and provides additional protection. This is a highly economical way to renew an existing finish.

Here is a short video tutorial on how to refresh surfaces with boiled linseed oil:

Stand Oil

Stand oil is made from purified, cold-pressed linseed oil that is heated at high temperatures to induce polymerization, usually under vacuum conditions at temperatures ranging from 260°C to 300°C. This process results in a chemical reaction that forms longer polymer chains, making the oil thicker and more viscous. Stand oil is also widely used in paint production.