Untouched for over 70 years, finally painted again

Object

Reuversweerd Castle

Performed by

Schildersbedrijf te Morsche

Client

Schildersbedrijf te Morsche and the owner of the property

Contractor

Bouwbedrijf Hoffman

Wholesaler

Linova Verf & Bladgoud

Substrate

Existing coats of paint over 70 years old on pinewood.

Applied products

TOPLIN Linseed Stand Oil Paint

The challenge

Uninhabited and boarded up for over 70 years.

Reuversweerd is a national monument in the hamlet of Cortenoever in the Brummen municipality of the province of Gelderland. The house, built in the Empire Style, was built in 1830. However, since April 1945, it has been uninhabited. The house was originally owned by the Colenbrander family from Gelderland. After this family died out, the castle was acquired by J.G.W.H. Baron van Sytzama, who was killed by an SS firing squad later The Germans used the house as a radio station until it was seriously damaged by Canadian artillery fire at the end of the Second World War. Reuversweerd Castle in Brummen was abandoned for over 70 years. Two years ago, a large-scale indoor and outdoor restoration project was initiated.

The objective is to return the propety to its original condition as much as possible. In a few years, this imposing historical property will have been turned into a sanctuary. The Te Morsche painting company received the honourable assignment of treating the paintwork and glazing. Watch a video about this here.

Reuversweerd:

The solution

The painters are currently (2019/2020) still sanding the window frames, door and other exterior woodwork. The frames on the interior are being sanded, too. Much of the woodwork is significantly worn: however, after a good bit of sanding, much of the wood came out in surprisingly good condition, which is quite extraordinary. It's not common for wood that hasn't been painted for 70 years to look this good.

Sanded wood is still beautiful:

When rotted parts are found, the possibility of partial replacement is discussed with the Hoffman carpenters. The shutters, for example, did not stand the test of time quite as well. These were kept shut for all these years, suffering the effects of wind and weather. However, the fact that the windows were kept shut for 70 years had a fortunate side effect on the property. Material accumulated behind the shutters, causing the windows to shatter. As a result, the ventilation in the house was optimal.

This project requires a different approach. It doesn't all need to be sleek and smooth, but the woodwork oldhas to retain its natural appearance. A gnarl has to remain visible. Simply covering it is not done. Preservation is the aim. It's about quality rather than speed. Outdoors, the woodwork will be finished with a Linseed oil paint system with a finish of TIPLIN Linseed Oil Lacquer High Gloss. Indoors, the water-based Linseed Oil Paint System of Toplin Linseed Oil Lacquer Aqua will be applied.

The Result

This project is still in progress! Ten test setups with window frames in various wood types, some painted and some unpainted, are suspended from the interior of the property. The objective of this setup is to determine how the wood behaves with or without a coat of paint, and to find the right colour for the window frames. This requires quite a bit of fine-tuning. The owner has stated that, like the renovation of the property as a whole, they will take all the time they need for this. The end result should be harmonious: it should be just right. It is a grandeur project, and that takes time and patience. Only the best is good enough.'

In 2020, a final decision for the colours will be made and the exterior will be finished. As soon as the entire exterior is done, work will start on the interior. We will regularly post updates on this amazing project!