I just removed the carpet that has been covering the wood in my parents home for almost 50 years. The floors are in absolutely perfect condition. They appear to be red oak. I was wondering what type of finish would have been used on them and how we should maintain them. The current finish is flat and I would guess that it predates urethane. So an oil or wax stain perhaps? How can I tell?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Tamper-resistant receptacles can make it difficult to insert a plug. Here are the code-acceptable solutions.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
ALomost certainly a "real" varnish.
The key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you, and start focusing on what God did for you. Max Lucado
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
I second that. You can still buy varnish, but you have to look for it.
One specific brand name is Waterlox. You can find detailed Waterlox discussions here using the search function.
May not be varnish. Shellac was very common. Go into a closet,(this is not a joke!) and use some laquer thinner and see if it dissolves the finish, if not it is probably varnish...
In my area shellac wasn't common 50 years ago for floors, burt was stiull common on doors and natural trim.
To test for shellac, use denatured alcohol.
The key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you, and start focusing on what God did for you. Max Lucado
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
What exactly is varnish? I am wondering if it's simply some type of oil that has been rubbed in. It looks great, nice red tone, but it doesn't feel like a hard finish. Not like shellac. I'll try that test. I sanded a scratch and when wetted the sanded area was the same colour as the floor but dry it was lighter.