I will use stain plus either water-based or oil-based polyurethane. Which one is easier to apply to get an even result all over the floor? I don't mind the smell of the oil based one. However, I am a little concerned because I want to change the color of the floors substantially and don't know which type of stain/polyurethane combination is best. I would appreciate any comments in choosing the option that'll give me the best results. Thanks.
2007-07-24 13:06:56 · 7 answers · asked by betta 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
no matter what you use, you have to strip the original finish first...the new stain wont take by just putting it over the old..
2007-07-24 13:11:39 · answer #1 · answered by fyea1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good info, sand the floor clean. Use minwax or any high quality stain that is designed for floors. Gloss has a little more guts in the bucket when finishing. With the technology today water base systems are as good as oil and a lot less trouble. I really reccomend you going to a real paint store not a large home center, The salesman know alot more and generally have several systems to try. Buy good products and you'll be happier. It's like a contractor that comes in your house and says you need two coats of paint and then buys the cheapest paint he can find. His labor is expensive. You would be better off buying one very good gallon of paint and having him only put one coat on. But the contractor makes less money and doesn't use high quality paints.
Dark colored floor will make your room look smaller also.
2007-07-24 21:43:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did this on my oak floors. I used minwax products... both stain and polyu'. The stain I used is very dark- being u are staining oak it is likely your stain will dry very even. (Softer wood tends to blotch) - I then used GLOSS oil based polyurethane with a lambs wool applicator. 4 coats-- it looks very very very professional. My father refinished his floors- no stain, and he used water based polyu'- i helped him and really didn't see diff' between the two products. (But he used satin rather than gloss... I don't think it looked as good as gloss). I don't suggest that you use a stain \ poly combination product for floors. These products are for small projects and no professional would use them. I highly caution one area... if you have to use any wood filler at all- be advised your stain will not stain the filler.
2007-07-24 20:50:07 · answer #3 · answered by Jason F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only do you need to prepare the floors first, you need to find out what base they were stained with in the first place. Putting a water base over an existing oil base will be disastrous!
2007-07-24 20:27:51 · answer #4 · answered by GeriGeri 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Minwax is the best, apply the stain first and if you don't get the shade you want then apply a test coat of poly with a little more stain. Remember that after you do this it will be impossible to go back to the light shade.
2007-07-24 20:19:53 · answer #5 · answered by mel s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you by any chance should be lucky to some of the original flooring scraps try the finish you want on them OR you can try it in a closet, if you don't like it shut the door. Either way you will have to remove the old finish, I would recommend a floor sanding machine.
2007-07-24 20:17:29 · answer #6 · answered by John P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you go dark you are done. Also dark floors show dust very easily. I wouldn't do it. I have dark floors we are putting a floating floor over it, light wood. I refinish furniture-never met anyone who went dark and liked it for long.
2007-07-24 20:18:57 · answer #7 · answered by dtwladyhawk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋