Following forum thoughts over the last few years, I persuaded the good Lady (the paymaster in this case) to use a linseed oil based system on her new-build 'summerhouse'...she calls it her Gin palace (well it does a mini bar with optics therein!)

Now then I followed all the instructions as per the supplier's notes...coats of warmed oil etc then several coats of thinly applied paint. Actually the whole process was quite enjoyable, if painting anything can be truely fun!

Two problems...she wanted it white: well the supplier sells white, so it must be fine. Problem two (possibly the root of the main problem)...the provider of said structure does not treat the whitewood!! (massive folly to my mind, but it was delivered...on a wopping palet I might add, before I discovered that...they must be mad or tight, or hoping to sell another one in 10 years.

Move forward 10 squares if you know where this is going, but after two years, and a recoating, the whole shebang is battleship grey with surface mould, in some places this has been artfully patterned by slugs, who possibly enjoy the linseed or mould or both.

After pointing the failure out, by email, to the supplier, they stated they were aware of the problem (cheers guys for not mentioning this in the instructions) and would be happy to 'sell' what sounded like a lead based sealer.
Seems to me the best thing to do is to sand the whole bl++dy thing down, apply a 'real' paint system and write off the near on £300 the linseed lot took off us.

I post this as a warning more than seeking a solution, though if someone out there has an idea like sraying the whole thing vinegar (the wonder solution) or sulphuric acid, I welcome your thoughts.

Cheers peeps, Jim

Who was your linseed paint supplier. We got ours from Holker (Grade 2 listed so insisted on linseed paint) and they supplied a pot of fungicide which you mixed with the paint to stop it going mouldy. It has worked so far but then it is dark green not white so would be harder to notice.

Jim, as you've had no success with Holkhams I'd suggest videoing the situation and posting it on YouTube and sending the link to their marketing director/MD/Head Office. I did it with a fridge from Comet and there was a message on our phone when I got back home 45 minutes later agreeing to refund if I removed the clip. Said I'd do that when the money was in my account, which it was two days later!