Hey fellow eco-warriors! 
I recently took on the challenge of revamping my century-old wooden window frames with some natural paint, aiming to keep things as green as possible. I went with Earthborn Claypaint for its breathability and eco-credentials, which worked wonders on my walls. However, I’ve hit a snag with the window frames – the paint’s started peeling in places, and I’m scratching my head over the best way to fix it without compromising on my eco-friendly ethos.
I prepped the surface by sanding it down and cleaning it thoroughly, but perhaps I missed a step? Has anyone else faced this issue with natural paints on old wood? I’m curious about your experiences with different brands or if there’s a specific primer that works best with natural paints for such surfaces. Also, any tips on ensuring the paint adheres better this time around would be golden.
Let’s share our stories and solutions – what natural paint brands have you tried on old wooden surfaces, and how did they hold up? Any particular prep steps or products that made a difference for you? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and hopefully finding a way to keep my window frames both beautiful and environmentally friendly!
Hey @EcoPainter88, I’ve had a similar issue with Earthborn Claypaint on my old wooden doors. What worked for me was using a natural primer before applying the paint. I went with EcoPro Natural Primer, which is specifically designed for use with natural paints. It really helped with adhesion and prevented peeling. Also, make sure the wood is completely dry before you start painting. Moisture can be a big issue with old wood.
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Thanks @GreenThumb99! I hadn’t considered a natural primer. I’ll definitely look into EcoPro Natural Primer. Did you find that it affected the breathability of the paint at all? That’s one of the reasons I chose Earthborn Claypaint in the first place.
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Not at all, @EcoPainter88! The primer is designed to maintain the breathability of natural paints. It’s been a game-changer for me. Just make sure to follow the application instructions carefully for the best results.
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I’ve used Auro Natural Paint on my old wooden furniture and it’s held up really well. I think the key is in the prep work. I spent a lot of time sanding and cleaning the surface, and I also used a natural wood cleaner to remove any old residues. It might be worth trying a different brand if you’re still having issues.
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Thanks for the suggestion, @SandyShore23! I’ve heard good things about Auro Natural Paint. Did you use any specific type of natural wood cleaner? I want to make sure I’m not missing anything in my prep work.
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I used Ecover Natural Wood Cleaner, @EcoPainter88. It’s eco-friendly and did a great job of preparing the surface without leaving any harmful residues. Just make sure to let the wood dry completely before you start painting.
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Has anyone tried Biofa Natural Paint? I’m considering it for my next project but would love to hear some real-world experiences before I commit.
I haven’t tried Biofa Natural Paint myself, @LeafyLad, but I’ve heard it’s quite durable. Maybe someone else here has some experience with it?
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I’ve used Biofa Natural Paint on a couple of projects, @LeafyLad. It’s got great coverage and the colors are vibrant. However, I did find that it took a bit longer to dry compared to other natural paints I’ve used. Just something to keep in mind if you’re on a tight schedule.
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Hey @EcoPainter88, I’ve had a similar issue with Earthborn Claypaint on my old wooden doors. What worked for me was using a natural primer before applying the paint. I went with EcoPro Natural Primer, which is specifically designed for use with natural paints. It really helped with adhesion and prevented peeling. Also, make sure the wood is completely dry before you start painting. Moisture can be a big issue with old wood.
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I’ve been down that road too. The key is in the prep work. I found that lightly sanding the surface and then applying a coat of Auro Natural Primer made a world of difference. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for the durability and eco-friendliness. Also, consider the weather when you’re painting. High humidity can mess with the drying process.
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Another thing to consider is the type of wood and its condition. I had peeling issues until I started using Biofa Wood Preservative before priming. It’s a natural product that helps protect the wood and improves paint adhesion. Plus, it’s eco-friendly, which is a big win. Just make sure to give it enough time to penetrate the wood before you start painting.
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I’ve had a similar issue with natural paints peeling on old wood. What worked for me was using a shellac-based primer before applying the paint. It seals the wood and gives the paint something to grip onto. Might be worth a shot if you’re looking for a solution that sticks.
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Honestly, I think the problem might be with the Earthborn Claypaint itself. I’ve used it before and found it doesn’t adhere well to surfaces that aren’t perfectly smooth. Maybe try a different brand like Biofa or Ecos Paints. They’ve worked better for me on tricky surfaces.
It’s all about the prep work, as you’ve already guessed. I’ve found that using a natural bristle brush for sanding helps get into all the nooks and crannies of old wood. Also, make sure the wood is completely dry before you start painting. Moisture can really mess with adhesion.
I’ve had good luck with Auro Natural Paint too, especially on furniture. But for window frames, which get a lot of wear and tear, I’d recommend looking into a more durable option like linseed oil paint. It’s a bit more work to apply, but it lasts forever and is super eco-friendly.
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Have you considered that the peeling might be due to the wood expanding and contracting with temperature changes? Old wood does that a lot. Maybe using a more flexible paint could help. I’ve heard good things about the flexibility of Graphenstone paints, though I haven’t tried them myself.
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I think the key is in the type of wood and its condition. Some old woods are just too porous or damaged for paint to stick well, no matter the brand. In cases like that, I’ve had to resort to a thin layer of natural wood filler before painting. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it does the trick.
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I’ve used Biofa Natural Paint on a couple of projects now, and honestly, it’s been a mixed bag. On properly prepped surfaces, it looks amazing and holds up well. But if the surface isn’t perfect, you might run into adhesion issues. Make sure you really take your time with the prep work.
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