Have you had problems with boiled/turpintine 50-50? I never had although i mix 50-50 with mineral spirits. I was advised years ago to let the boiled/ spirits sit 30 days before primer/topcoating.

"Prepping old exterior wood..."

For what??

I'd avoid ANY linseed oil like the plague for exterior use.
It's just not that tough.
It can be mold-food, due to its make-up.
It's a VEEERRRY slow curing oil.

...unless it's something you like maintaining frequently...

Faron

I used the typical boiled linseed oil available at paint and hardware stores and mixed it with turpentine 50/50, which was the conventional wisdom 15 years ago when I started to restore my old house. The siding was 150 ear old cedar shakes. I then applied an alkyd oil primer and topcoated with 2 coats of Sears Best Weatherbeater latex. The paint has held up incredibly well - no peeling, cracking, nothing. The only problem is mold that comes out in certain spots (both sunny and shady areas) during the year. I've learned recently that the boiled linseed oil is probably the cause of this as it is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. I've read about this Allsback linseed oil which apparently goes through a different refining process that the stuff I've been using, thus eliminating the concern about mold and mildew. I'm about to begin this spring on restoring the rear portion of the house and if there's a better way to do it and still end up with the same or better paint durability, then I'm interested in hearing about it. Thanks

Interesting there Charlie!

I'm suspecting (emphasize "suspecting"!) that your good luck with your paintjobs stems mostly from the wood itself.
150yo cedar wood be an ideal wood for an oil primer.
* The older-growth cedars just aren't all that common any more.
* Probably was a very slow-growth type also...meaning dense, stable wood, cut from bigger trees.
* Many of todays Cedars just don't compare. Trees are harvested quicker, and the wood is softer.

>>> This might sound corny, but in a sense, you have "Stradivarius" wood! The wood/old varnishes used in these priceless instruments simply can't be replicated anymore, largely because of the wood itself. Very dense, old hardwoods just aren't there...too bad!
I've History-Channel type documentaries & other info. on this debate too...interesting stuff!

I'll have to look into Allsback more, but because they have to refine it so much....

For now, I'd put more faith into your wood, & the Oil primer itself! I'd also consider doing 2 coats of primer, instead of Linseed as one of these coats.

Faron

Thanks for that info! We are in the mojave desert, so little or none mold/mildew problems. I recently used the method on restoring an old cedar fence that they wanted painted and sometimes use it as a finish on redwood. I can see your dilemma where it's wetter conditions. Good luck!