It is important to protect the wooden surface with an oil and/or sealer; this could be with a Varnish/lacquer or water based oils.
Varnishes/lacquers are low-maintenance but would require sanding of the entire surface to do maintenance or repairs.
Water based Oils require a bit more care, but are easier to repair and maintain and they do not normally require the floor to be sanded down to do a restoration of colour. Water based Oils are also available in a variety of colours giving you many options and finishes to use.
You could also have a sealer applied over the water based oil to increase the wearing abilities of the Oil.
Sealing the floor with an Oil or Varnish:
Staining a wooden floor can result in many desired effects:
Repeated exposure to water and sunlight can damage the wood. By using a Wax overlay, you can protect the wood from being damaged or discoloured. Wax overlays form a barrier over your wood that assists in making the surface waterproof.Â
Wax Overlays, penetrate the wood deeply or bond to the surface molecules of the wood, protecting and enhancing it, thus allowing it to be easily maintained. This is particularly effective on heavy-duty surfaces such as floors. An extra layer of protection can be added with a Varnish if needed for commercial applications, or even the application of a 2K sealer can be applied after oiling.
Take into account the colour of the stain, the species of your wood and how porous this is, as this will affect the final finish of your surface. Every type of wood and wood surface finish (Smooth or Brushed) accepts stain differently. It is very important that you test your stain on a piece of scrap wood first, or on a less visible area, to ensure you will get the desired effect.
Stains can be mixed together to create the exact tone you require. You can lighten a stain by adding a natural finish stain. You can match an existing wood by mixing stains together. Ensure that you mix enough to complete the entire job as mixing a second batch might result in the colours not matching exactly.
Preparation
If the wood has been previously treated or painted this will need to be stripped first right down to the natural raw wood. In order for the stain to penetrate the wood, and/or for the water based oil to bond effectively to achieve the best result the wood has to be in a raw state and be free of dust or dirt.
Depending on the product to be used, you may want to apply a wood sealer, water based oil with 2k sealer or conditioner to help the stain cure more evenly. This will help prevent your stain from looking blotchy.
Pro Tip: When working with wood stain wear rubber gloves.
Make sure to stir or shake the can thoroughly before application to bring the dyes and pigments up off of the bottom of the tin.
There are two possible methods you can use when applying a Wax/Oil on wood:
Hand Application – Use an application pad, cloth or rag for small areas and repairs
Machine Application – Use a floor buffing machine
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