Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

Purified v Refined Linseed Oil

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Author
Message

Trevor Johnson

  • Forum Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 26
Posted
Is there any practical difference between Purified Linseed Oil (Daler Rowney) and Refined Linseed Oil (W&N)? They both are said to slow drying, so is the difference in names simply the manufacturers' preference?

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9081
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3432
Posted
I use W&N refined linseed oil and distilled turpentine, both in very small quantities, as oil paint already contains linseed oil as a binding agent. I would take a guess that purified linseed oil is the same, and I’m certain that you wouldn’t notice any difference.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 20406
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 7156
Posted
They're more or less the same thing - I don't like W & N products overmuch these days, not least because of the impenetrable containers in which they store them, entirely resistant to arthritic fingers.  So I use D-R Linseed oil and not much else (though W & N painting medium is good, if you can only break into the blasted bottle!)   The difference between them isn't worth worrying about.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9081
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3432
Posted
That’s a good point Robert, they can be a dreadful pain to open at times.  I usually drop the top part into very hot water - but we shouldn’t have to go through this ritual. I’ve had this W&N bottle for a considerable time, as I mentioned previously I use so little of it these days. Once it’s gone, I will switch over to something more easily opened such as DR.

Trevor Johnson

  • Forum Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 26
Posted
Thanks for confirming my suspicions. With W&N bottles I snip away the black outer cap with a pair of wire cutters and this leaves the clear plastic inner cap which can then be unscrewed as normal
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 20406
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 7156
Posted
I can see myself losing a finger that way - but I think you might send that (the photo, not a finger) to W & N: this is what we have to do to get at your products!

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9081
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3432
Posted
They’re already aware of it Robert, there was a letter in LP or TA a while back, making the same observation, including a photo similar to that just posted! Numerous replies all confirmed the same findings, many of these people had in fact written to W&N...  They aren’t interested! Incredible.