Sash windows and linseed oil paint sticking

[mp1]

We had new sash windows made and fitted last October but find that they are very difficult to open. They are mahogany with 3 coats of linseed oil paint and brush seals. They were made in September and would have had the paint applied then and the final coat was on for about 3 weeks before fitting but they were not fully dry. They felt dry to touch but if you pushed your hand into the paint it was a bit sticky. Once you break the initial contact the sashes will slide up and down no problem but will be stuck again in a day or so.

The windows are very well made and I don't think the issue is caused by anything other than the paint so I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue and how did they resolve it. I am considering coating the side of the sash that contacts with the brush seal because I am fairly sure that the issue is between the brush seal and the paint.

Any ideas?

 

[livias]

Rub a candle along the painted edge

 

[Penners]

Alternatively, try rubbing the sliding surfaces with talcum powder. I don't know what colour you've had them painted, but if it's a considerably different colour from the powder, do a small test area first, to ensure that the colour difference isn't unsightly.

If they're painted white, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Feltwell]

What it sounds like to me is that your windows were re-coated too quickly.

Linseed paint is lovely stuff, but it requires time & patience to apply. If you recoat too quickly then the new coat will form a seal over the previous, still soft coat - which then takes months to harden. I know from personal experience! It's not the drying of your final coat that is a problem, it's the layers underneath that. The other problem with linseed paint is it has to be applied very, very thinly and nearly everyone (including me) gets this wrong at first. If you think it's going on far too thinly, then you've actually got it just right!

None of which helps you in your current predicament. The good news is that it should ease over time - my windows, even with very careful painting, stick a bit for the first 6 months if not opened for a week or two. Not dramatically so, but enough that they need a bit of effort to pull them free.

On one early window which was sticking badly I squirted a bit of silicone spray along the brush seals, which helped a lot. That was about 4 years ago, doesn't seem to have done the paint any harm. You can buy silicone spray in motor factors, it's great stuff, used for "dry" lubrication of sliding surfaces such as rubbers around car windows, and it's clear so won't stain your paint. I think machine knitters use it as well on wool.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WYNNS-SIL...720?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ed7c6aa10

 

[mp1]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

You might be onto something Feltwell about previous coats of paint not being fully dry before getting painted again but I guess we can live with it for now so longs as it works out eventually.

Thanks.